Taylor Farms Political Spending and Regulatory Record Under Scrutiny Amid Cyclospora Outbreak
The US Department of Health and Human Services has denied that political contributions influenced the administration’s response to the outbreak, as filings reveal significant spending on food safety deregulation.
Taylor Farms, the lettuce supplier linked to a widespread cyclospora outbreak, has donated more than $3.6 million to conservative political groups between 2020 and 2025. Federal Election Commission filings confirm the company contributed over $2 million to conservative causes in 2025 alone, including a $1 million donation to the MAGA Inc. super PAC and $1.1 million to other Republican-focused super PACs.
The company has also engaged in substantial lobbying efforts to influence food safety policy. In early 2025, Taylor Farms hired the law firm Sidley Austin to advocate on the regulation of food safety, spending $810,000 on these efforts. The firm also appointed Trent Morse, a former deputy director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, to lead its government relations operations following his departure from the Trump administration.
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has publicly rejected suggestions that these financial contributions impacted the government’s handling of the crisis. In a statement on social media, the HHS emphasised that the Trump administration’s decisions are driven solely by science and public safety, dismissing claims of collusion as fake news.
Taylor Farms executives have met with White House and FDA officials to discuss alleged shortfalls in the government’s response to the outbreak. The company recently claimed the FDA apologised for a false-positive test result regarding its lettuce, a statement the FDA explicitly denied. These interactions follow the company’s hiring of Morse and its broader strategy to engage directly with federal regulators.
The outbreak is not an isolated incident for the company, which reports annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. Taylor Farms has faced regulatory scrutiny for previous cyclospora and E. coli outbreaks, including incidents in 2013, 2015, and 2024. Since 2025, the FDA has inspected 18 Taylor Farms-affiliated plants, with three resulting in voluntary action indicated status due to violations.
Safety records at the company’s facilities have drawn further criticism. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited at least 21 violations at Taylor Farms sites since the start of 2025. This includes a $1.1 million fine levied against a New Jersey facility following the death of an employee who sustained injuries while cleaning an industrial blancher.
Food policy expert Marion Nestle noted that the company’s spending reflects a broader industry trend where large producers use financial resources to push for reduced accountability during outbreaks. Despite the HHS denial of influence, the combination of heavy lobbying, political donations, and a documented history of safety violations has intensified scrutiny of Taylor Farms’ operations.
