Sysco Corp Halts Mexican Iceberg Lettuce Purchases Amid Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
On Tuesday, Sysco Corp, the United States' largest food distributor, announced that it has stopped purchasing iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico following a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak in the United States. The decision follows a voluntary recall in mid‑July of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico, which was subsequently followed by an official recall notification from Taylor Farms itself.
CEO Kevin Hourican told Reuters that the company is no longer buying iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms nor from Mexico, adding that Sysco is actively working to diversify its procurement channels to mitigate future supply‑chain risks. He emphasized that the halt applies to both sales and distribution of the affected lettuce.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked the outbreak—the largest recorded U.S. cyclosporiasis incident—to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants, tracing the source to Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico. Authorities continue to investigate additional potential sources.
Cyclosporiasis, an intestinal disease caused by the Cyclospora parasite, leads to explosive diarrhea. While not considered life‑threatening, the disease can be severe; Michigan reported two deaths among individuals with underlying health conditions, noting that dehydration associated with the infection may have contributed to the fatalities.
The pathogen spreads when contaminated food or water containing human feces is consumed. Sysco’s cessation of Mexican iceberg lettuce purchases reflects a broader industry response to protect public health and maintain supply‑chain integrity.
Published 05‑08‑2026, 07:24 am; source: Reuters.