Taylor Fresh Foods Cyclospora Recall Update: Check “Best if Used By” Dates on Central Mexico Iceberg Lettuce
Quick action for home cooks: If you have Taylor Fresh Foods iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, check the package for the specific “Best if Used By” date ranges listed by the FDA. If your lettuce matches, do not eat it—discard or return it as instructed in the FDA recall notice.
This recall is connected to an FDA investigation of a multistate Cyclospora outbreak. Because Cyclospora is not something you can reliably remove by rinsing, the safest move is to remove the recalled lettuce from your kitchen.
What product is being recalled?
The FDA recall notice covers Taylor Fresh Foods iceberg lettuce (Central Mexico) due to possible Cyclospora contamination.
Before you do anything else: look at your package and find the “Best if Used By” date. Compare it to the date ranges in the FDA notice. FDA provided specific product descriptions and the date ranges that identify affected product.
Why rinsing isn’t enough for Cyclospora
Cyclospora contamination can’t be “washed away” in a way that reliably makes lettuce safe. Washing may remove some surface debris, but it is not considered an effective control for this type of risk. FDA’s consumer guidance is clear: if your lettuce matches the recalled identifiers, don’t eat it.
What the FDA investigation update adds
In a separate FDA investigation update (working with CDC and state partners), FDA describes the outbreak status and how consumers may have been exposed.
- The investigation information indicates that iceberg lettuce was a common exposure reported by interviewed cases.
- FDA also notes a restaurant exposure link in its investigation update (including Taco Bell), which helps explain why some cases may have been associated with food served outside the home.
- The practical takeaway for families: whether you ate the lettuce at home or as part of a restaurant meal, the FDA message is still the same—if you have the recalled lettuce, stop eating it.
You can check the CDC’s foodborne outbreak index for the latest posted outbreak information, but the key shopper step is to follow the specific FDA recall notice for product identification.
What to do if you have the recalled lettuce
FDA’s recall instructions generally tell consumers to either discard or return the affected lettuce (follow the option stated in the notice).
Then, to protect other foods in your kitchen:
- Prevent cross-contamination: don’t use the same cutting tools/boards that touched the lettuce on ready-to-eat foods.
- Clean and disinfect: wash reusable surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect according to your usual kitchen practice.
- Check what else was stored with it: if other produce or packaged items sat in the same drawer or container, give the area a good clean before putting food back.
If you already ate it and you feel sick
If you think you may have been exposed and you develop symptoms, contact a healthcare professional for guidance. Mention that your exposure may be related to iceberg lettuce from the Taylor Fresh Foods Central Mexico recall and follow their instructions.
If you need a starting point for what outbreaks are currently being investigated and where updates are posted, the CDC’s foodborne outbreaks index is a good place to check for the most current public health framing.
Where to check the latest updates
For the product-specific identifiers and the exact “Best if Used By” date ranges, rely on the FDA recall notice for this Taylor Fresh Foods iceberg lettuce. For outbreak context and ongoing public health updates, check the CDC foodborne outbreaks index.
Next steps today: Pull your iceberg lettuce from the fridge, find the “Best if Used By” date on the package, and compare it to the FDA-listed ranges. If it matches, stop eating it and follow FDA’s discard/return steps.
