Taylor Farms Food Poisoning Lawsuit

Taylor Farms supplies fresh-cut produce to grocery stores and major restaurant chains, so when one of its products is contaminated, the illness that follows depends on the pathogen. The events documented on this page involve two very different germs, Cyclospora and E. coli.

Cyclospora

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that contaminates fresh produce in the field. It causes frequent, sometimes explosive watery diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, cramping, bloating, nausea, and lasting fatigue. Symptoms usually begin about a week after exposure, and without the right antibiotic they can last a month or more and relapse. Washing doesn't reliably remove the parasite, and cooking is the only sure way to kill it.

E. coli O157:H7

E. coli O157:H7 produces Shiga toxin and can cause severe stomach cramps and bloody diarrhea, usually 3 to 4 days after exposure. In young children and older adults it can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kidney complication that may require dialysis and, in rare cases, can be fatal.

At-Risk Groups

Young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of serious illness. Seek medical care for bloody diarrhea, a high fever, signs of dehydration, or diarrhea that lasts more than a few days.

When a contaminated ingredient can be traced to a grower or processor, the company that supplied it can be held responsible alongside the store or restaurant that sold it.

Types of Compensation

A claim may seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, and pain and suffering. Hospitalization, HUS, or lasting complications can increase the medical expenses, lost income, and other losses a claim seeks to recover, which may result in greater compensation. The compensation available depends on the facts and law in each case. A wrongful death claim may be available when a foodborne illness causes a death.

Supplier Liability

Produce suppliers can be named in a food poisoning claim when traceback ties an illness to their product. On July 17, FDA said its traceback converged on Taylor Farms de Mexico as the single supplier that provided shredded iceberg lettuce used at Taco Bell locations where sick people ate. The complaint filed by Ron Simon & Associates separately names Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc. d/b/a Taylor Farms, Taco Bell Corp., and Charter Foods, Inc. d/b/a Taco Bell #027999 as defendants.

Prior Recalls and Outbreaks

Taylor Farms has been connected to earlier produce investigations, including the 2024 recall of slivered onions tied to a McDonald's E. coli outbreak. Prior events and how a company responded can be relevant to negligence arguments, depending on the evidence and the law that applies.

No Fee Unless We Win

Ron Simon & Associates handles qualified food poisoning claims on a contingency fee basis. You pay our law firm nothing unless we recover compensation for you.