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Planet Money
Planet Money

Big Lettuce meets Small Intestine

July 22, 2026 • 25m

Summary

⏱️ 8 min read

Overview

Planet Money investigates the current cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce from Taylor Farms, exploring how the lettuce industry evolved into a multi-billion dollar operation and why foodborne illness outbreaks continue despite major FDA regulatory reforms. The episode reveals two parallel revolutions: the rise of 'big lettuce' through bagged salad technology and the decade-long effort to create comprehensive farm safety standards.

The Current Cyclospora Outbreak and Taylor Farms

The current cyclospora outbreak has infected over 1,600 people with thousands more suspected cases, causing explosive diarrhea spread primarily through human feces. The FDA traced contamination to shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms, the nation's largest salad processor supplying Taco Bell, McDonald's, and major grocery chains. Taylor Farms issued recalls across 27 states. As of the recording, investigators believe the tainted lettuce originated from a farm in Mexico, highlighting ongoing challenges with inspecting foreign farms.

  • The cyclospora parasite has infected over 1,600 people with thousands more suspected cases this summer
  • Many sick people ate at Taco Bell before the FDA traced contamination to shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms
  • Taylor Farms is a multi-billion dollar operation supplying nearly every major restaurant and grocery chain
  • Taylor Farms issued lettuce recalls in 27 states for potentially contaminated product
" It's Diarrhea Summer. "

The Rise of Big Lettuce and Bagged Salad Revolution

The lettuce industry transformed from a regional commodity to a national juggernaut through two key innovations. First, iceberg lettuce's natural crunchiness allowed it to survive long-distance train transport in the early 1900s, making it the first fresh vegetable available year-round nationwide. Then in the 1980s, the development of breathable film technology enabled processors to keep chopped lettuce fresh for extended periods, launching the bagged salad revolution that completely changed the economics of the industry.

  • The Salinas Valley in California produces a huge portion of fresh produce in the US, with lettuce as the centerpiece crop
  • Lettuce became America's number two fresh vegetable by the 1950s because it could survive long train rides while staying crisp
  • Breathable film technology in the 1980s created a 'mini environment' for produce, enabling the bagged salad business
  • Taylor Farms started in 1995 and became the largest salad processor by supplying pre-chopped bagged lettuce to restaurants and grocery stores
" I always compare it to being like a really big garden. "
" It's a little mini environment for that produce. "
" It's almost like lettuce has become kind of a widget. I know exactly what that lettuce is going to look like. I know exactly what it's going to taste like, and I know it's going to be the same every time. "

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