Taylor Fresh Foods, a produce supplier based in Salinas, is facing lawsuits following a November E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that sickened at least 88 people and resulted in one death. This outbreak affected individuals across 15 states, including Missouri and Indiana. Federal investigators traced the cases back to a specific grower, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not disclose the name of the company involved.
The outbreak was not made public until several victims filed lawsuits against Taylor Fresh Foods and its subsidiary, Taylor Farms California. These lawsuits claim that the company sold "defective and unreasonably dangerous" food products that caused the illness. One notable case involves a 10-year-old boy from Indiana who became severely ill after consuming the lettuce. He was diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious kidney condition linked to E. coli, and required dialysis for two weeks.
In response to the lawsuits, Taylor Farms denied being the source of the outbreak. The company stated that it conducts extensive testing on its products and found no evidence of contamination. They emphasized that their produce is processed using USDA-verified wash systems.
The outbreak’s details only emerged after affected families, including the parents of the young victim, took legal action. Bill Marler, the attorney representing the victims, claims to have gathered substantial evidence linking Taylor Farms to the outbreak, including invoices from a caterer in St. Louis that listed the company as a supplier.
The FDA did not issue any public warnings regarding this outbreak, stating that the contaminated lettuce was no longer being sold by the time the distributor was identified. The agency usually names companies involved in outbreaks when there is sufficient evidence and actionable advice for consumers. However, they indicated that in this case, there was no public communication because the outbreak had already ended.
Marler expressed concern over the lack of transparency from the FDA, arguing that consumers have a right to know about potential risks associated with food products. He stated that ignoring such outbreaks could lead to ongoing issues in food safety.
Experts in food safety also highlighted the importance of transparency in these situations. Jerold Mande, an adjunct professor at Harvard, noted that consumers should be informed about contamination incidents, even if the products are no longer in circulation. This information is vital for maintaining trust in food suppliers and ensuring public safety.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the focus remains on the implications for food safety practices and the accountability of suppliers in the wake of such outbreaks.