Walmart pulled four Marketside salad kits from shelves as a cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms spreads. The CDC reports 34 states affected. The recall widens at the peak of summer produce sales.
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Walmart removed four bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from its shelves as recalls tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak expand. The retailer said Saturday there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with the items, which are sold under its Marketside store brand at select locations.
A Walmart spokeswoman said there is no indication that products sold in its stores are affected by the current cyclospora investigations. The company removed four products as a precaution after receiving notice from a supplier.
The recalls are broadening to reach some U.S. retail stores. Taylor Farms earlier pulled products from a Mexico farm that were sent to 27 states. Mexico pledged to investigate the origins of the parasite outbreak. The Health Ministry said identifying the country of origin provides a traceability data point. It does not in itself confirm that contamination occurred within Mexican territory.
Cyclosporiasis has infected people in 34 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Michigan has recorded more than 5,000 illnesses as of July 17. The disease causes severe diarrhea and nausea for a few days or up to a couple months. Symptoms appear up to two weeks after ingestion.
Earlier this week, health officials said a lettuce supplier to Taco Bell locations in the Midwest was the source of most infections. Taylor Farms said no other products are affected and its branded salad kits sold in supermarkets do not contain iceberg lettuce. The company said it was recalling all iceberg lettuce because it had the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. It stopped receiving product from the implicated lot and suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico.
Taylor Farms said it is actively removing the implicated products and continuing to work with the FDA, CDC and state authorities. The shredded iceberg product was distributed from June 29 through July 16. The FDA said Friday that more states could be added to the recall notice.
The recall comes at the peak of summer produce sales, a period when bagged salads and leafy greens generate significant revenue for grocers. Product removals typically dampen consumer demand for weeks to months, according to food safety research. Walmart's Marketside private label is a key driver of margin in the produce aisle. A prolonged recall could push shoppers to alternative brands or whole heads of lettuce, reducing the retailer's private label sales.
The broader supply chain faces disruption as Taylor Farms, a major supplier of iceberg lettuce to food service and retail, halts distribution from Central Mexico. Other retailers that rely on Taylor Farms may need to find alternative sources. The CDC's investigation continues. The FDA has not ruled out additional states.
Walmart shares traded at $114.24, down 0.62% on the session. The WMT stock page tracks the retailer's performance. The Alpha Score of 54 reflects a mixed outlook for the stock.
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