Check Your Lettuce: Taylor Fresh Foods Shredded Iceberg Possibly Contaminated With Cyclospora (What to Do Now)
If you buy shredded iceberg lettuce, take one minute today to check your package. The FDA has posted a recall from Taylor Fresh Foods (commonly sold under Taylor Farms) for iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico due to a possible Cyclospora health risk.
This isn’t about “almost expired” lettuce—it’s about specific packages identified by the product details and “best if used by” date ranges listed in the FDA recall notice. Here’s how to confirm whether your lettuce is in the affected range and what to do next.
What FDA says is affected (and why shoppers need to check)
According to the FDA recall notice, Taylor Fresh Foods is voluntarily recalling shredded iceberg lettuce because it may be contaminated with Cyclospora. The recall is connected to an ongoing FDA-linked outbreak investigation.
Key action: Do not eat the product if your package matches the recalled identifiers and date range. The FDA notice directs consumers to discard or return the affected product (details below).
How to check your lettuce package in 60 seconds
Check the package for the information FDA lists in the recall notice, especially:
- Brand/company and product description (as stated by FDA)
- “Best if used by” date range (as stated by FDA)
- Any other product identifiers included in the notice
If the brand/product name and the “best if used by” date on your package match the recall information, treat it as included—even if the lettuce looks fine.
Where it may have been distributed (high level)
The FDA recall notice includes a distribution footprint at the state/area level. Use the notice to see whether your area is included. If you’re unsure, the safest approach is to focus on the date range and product identifiers on your package.
What to do if your lettuce matches the recall
If your shredded iceberg lettuce is within the affected identifiers and best-if-used-by range:
- Do not eat it. Don’t “taste-test” or cook it to make it safe—follow the recall instructions.
- Discard or return it as directed by the FDA notice.
- Minimize handling while you remove it from your kitchen so you don’t spread contaminants around.
Kitchen cleanup to reduce cross-contamination
Even if you don’t have symptoms, the goal is to keep your kitchen surfaces from picking up any residue that may have contacted the lettuce or packaging. A practical, family-friendly cleanup:
- Wash your hands with soap and water after handling the recalled package.
- Wipe down surfaces (countertops, refrigerator shelves, cutting boards, and utensils) that may have touched the lettuce or packaging.
- Clean first, then disinfect using a disinfectant appropriate for food-contact surfaces (follow the product label).
- Avoid reusing items that can’t be cleaned well (for example, keep any produce-prep containers that contacted the lettuce separate and wash them thoroughly).
- Throw away any packaging or items that are hard to clean.
If you used the lettuce in a recipe, it’s smart to be cautious about what else the lettuce may have touched (bowls, tongs, salad spinners, storage containers). The most important step is cleaning and sanitizing those touchpoints before you use them again.
How to stay on top of updates
FDA also posts outbreak investigation updates as new information becomes available. For ongoing guidance tied to the Cyclospora investigation linked to iceberg lettuce, check the FDA outbreak investigation page for the latest recommendations.
Bottom line
The safest next step is simple: check your shredded iceberg lettuce package against the recall’s product identifiers and “best if used by” date range. If it matches, don’t eat it—discard or return it, then do a quick, thorough cleanup of anything the lettuce or packaging may have touched.
