Cyclospora outbreak spotlights risks in consolidated food supply chains

According to CNBC, the cyclospora outbreak that has sickened thousands in the U.S. is drawing attention to how consolidation in food sourcing and distribution can turn a localized contamination event into a multistate one. Food safety experts said centralized processing and wider distribution networks can spread contamination more broadly, while the FDA investigation has focused on shredded iceberg lettuce distributed through Taylor Farms' foodservice business and served at Taco Bell restaurants and other customers across multiple states. Taylor Farms has expanded through acquisitions including Earthbound Farm in 2019, Curation Foods in 2021 and Equinox Growers in March, while Sysco, US Foods and Performance Food Group have also grown through acquisitions. Some experts said larger operators can have stronger food safety systems, but they acknowledged that recalls can be broader and harder to manage when contamination occurs in large distribution networks.