FDA report: less than 2.5% of Taylor Farms' recalled lettuce went to Taco Bell

The US Food and Drug Administration has released a report clarifying where lettuce contaminated with the parasite Cyclospora ended up after triggering one of the largest recent foodborne illness outbreaks. Although shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell had been widely suspected as a key source, the data shows only a small fraction of the tainted product actually reached the chain.

The lettuce was sourced from Mexico and distributed by Taylor Farms, a major California-based produce supplier. The company has faced scrutiny over its ties to the Trump administration and its reluctance to disclose clear information about the scope and destinations of the contaminated shipments. Taylor Farms has also reportedly attempted to delay issuing the recall even as illnesses were being reported.

Where the contaminated lettuce went

According to the FDA's Enforcement Report, Taylor Farms recalled a total of 236,192 cases of lettuce over potential Cyclospora contamination. Of those, only 5,900 cases—just under 2.5 percent—were sold to Yum, the parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC.

The largest share, 109,476 cases (over 46 percent), went to Walmart under its Marketside brand. The second-largest share, 68,897 cases (over 29 percent), was sold under Taylor Farms' own brand. The remaining roughly 25 percent was distributed among several foodservice companies and two restaurants: Cross Valley Farms, a US Foods brand, received 19,016 cases (8 percent); Sysco received 11,519 cases (4.9 percent); Markon received 7,459 cases (3.15 percent); and Peak Fresh Produce received 720 cases (0.3 percent).

The outbreak has so far sickened more than 23,000 people across 47 states, hospitalized over 500, and killed two.