Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, demanded answers from Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor about the company’s role in the national cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of Americans, and whether the company used its political donations and White House connections to interfere with the Food and Drug Administration’s investigation into the contaminated food supply.
“Taylor Farms donated millions to President Trump, met privately with the White House the night the FDA identified their lettuce as the source of this outbreak, and then reportedly tried to distance themselves from this outbreak. Thousands of Americans became sick. Trust in our public health system is on the line. The American people deserve to know Taylor Farms’ full role in this outbreak, and we’re demanding answers,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.
In the letter to Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor, Ranking Member Robert Garcia wrote, “When Americans go to buy produce at the grocery store or order a Crunchwrap Supreme, they trust that the food they buy will be safe to consume. Over the last few weeks, however, this trust has been broken as thousands have been sickened by a national cyclosporiasis outbreak. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said that the outbreak is “under control,” yet that seems far from true as cases continue to rise. Evidence points to Taylor Farms products as a source of the outbreak, but reports indicate that your company may have attempted to influence the ongoing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation into the matter, obfuscate Taylor Farms’ role in a public health crisis, and mislead consumers trying to keep their families safe. Oversight Democrats are investigating Taylor Farms’ role in the national cyclosporiasis outbreak and any further threat to Americans’ health and safety.”
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