4 claims about Taylor Farms, investigated

The produce company has been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak spreading "explosive diarrhea" across the U.S. Published July 23, 2026 In summer 2026, health officials linked produce company Taylor Farms to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection whose characteristic symptom is explosive diarrhea. The outbreak sparked criticism of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, under which a foodborne illness surveillance network made monitoring for this illness optional a year earlier. The controversy intensified as it came to light that Taylor Farms donated $1 million to a political action committee aligned with Trump in March 2025, six days after the Food and Drug Administration delayed the implementation of a "traceability rule" that would force producers to track their products. Here are four rumors surrounding Taylor Farms that Snopes has investigated: Sources CDC. "About FoodNet." Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/about/index.html. Accessed 23 July 2026.Cleveland Clinic. "Cyclosporiasis: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Prevention." Cleveland Clinic, 24 Aug. 2022, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17957-cyclosporiasis. Accessed 23 July 2026.Esposito, Joey. "Trump'S CDC Cut Tracking of 'Explosive Diarrhea' Parasite Before 2026 Outbreak." Snopes, Snopes.com, 14 July 2026, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cyclospora-parasite-trump-cuts/. Accessed 23 July 2026.Human Foods Program. "Constituent Update." U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-intends-extend-compliance-date-food-traceability-rule. Accessed 23 July 2026."PAGE by PAGE Report Display for 202507319789366210 (Page 42 Of 94)." Fec.Gov, 2025, https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/fecimg/?202507319789366251. Accessed 23 July 2026. By Anna Rascouët-Paz Anna Rascouët-Paz is based in Brooklyn, fluent in numerous languages and specializes in science and economic topics. Got tips? Reach out to her on Signal at rascouetsnopes.41 or via email at anna@snopes.com. Article Tags