Taylor Farms representatives contacted the White House to request a delay in announcing a recall linked to a significant cyclospora outbreak in the U.S., aiming to mitigate public relations fallout. Despite their plea for more proof and time, the FDA's findings convinced officials to proceed with the announcement. The outbreak has raised concerns and criticisms regarding the management by both the government and Taylor Farms.

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https://www.wsj.com/health/taylor-farms-cyclospora-recall-delay-call-41fef0bc

Taylor Farms Called White House to Try to Delay Cyclospora Recall

Officials became convinced by FDA’s findings, and gave the agency the green light to make them public

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A large truck backing into a Taylor Farms facility. A Taylor Farms facility in Salinas, Calif.Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images

Representatives for produce giant Taylor Farms contacted the White House with an urgent plea: the company wanted to delay announcing a recall tied to one of the largest foodborne illness outbreaks in U.S. history.

The call, during which the company asked for more proof and more time before being linked to the outbreak, illustrates how one of the country’s largest produce suppliers sought to limit its exposure to a public-relations nightmare, while grappling with a costly and complicated recall. Over the past several weeks, health officials have been scrambling to contain the outbreak of cyclospora, which can cause explosive diarrhea. Some current and former government officials have criticized the handling of the outbreak, both by the administration and Taylor Farms.

Taylor Farms Called White House to Try to Delay Cyclospora Recall

Taylor Farms Called White House to Try to Delay Cyclospora Recall

Officials became convinced by FDA’s findings, and gave the agency the green light to make them public

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