July 21, 2026 • 22 mins
There is a war of words publicly flying between federal agencies and the company in the middle of the cyclospora outbreak. False positives, false apologies, and now word that there are financial ties between Taylor Farms and the White House. Caught in the middle of the mess, the American people who are desperate to know what’s safe to eat right now.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hey, folks, it is Tuesday, July twenty first, and while
you are trying to decide what lettuce you should or
shouldn't eat, the FDA, the CDC, and Taylor Farms are
now in the center of a public spat over who's
to blame for this current cyclospora outbreaking with that, Welcome
(00:23):
to this episode of Amy and TJ. Robes. I used
to trust the CDC, I used to trust the FDA.
They say it, and I trust it, Robes, I don't
care what they say right now, I gotta go get
seventeen other sources to confirm that what I'm hearing from
these agencies is the truth. We have a public mess
that is once again eroding public trust.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yes, when you have grown adults who are in high profile,
high paying positions of authority and seeming credibility, you don't
want to see them saying nah, ah did not did too,
you did, I didn't.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
This is what's happening.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
It was a verbatim by the way people right finger pointing,
and I never said that this is awful, this is terrible.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
We already have a.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Difficult time knowing what to think or believe when we've
had major public health crises, which we've had a plenty,
but this latest one with the cyclospora outbreak. Thankfully, no
one's dying, no one's life is on the line, but
certainly people's quality of life is on the line.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
And that's of note.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
He was mentioned the trust thing. I remember the back
and forth with the vaccines. Remember that around COVID we
didn't know what to believe and who to believe and
what to trust, and there was This is where we
are again. I know it's not maybe we're not taking
it the same type of seriously, Robes, A lot of
people are with what's going on with our federal, our
government agencies because nobody's dying, but roabes, this is awful.
And where we are right now, folks, the cyclospora, and
(01:51):
we saw it again over the weekend. First of all,
Robes is that the numbers are once again going up
and spiking, and in particular in Michigan, which I'm sorry
miss again y'all are the epicenter of explosive diarrhea right now.
That's the truth.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
That's tough, that's a tough thing to be known for,
but right now, that is where Michigan is at this point.
And yes, as you mentioned the numbers rising. We're well
over six thousand documented cases in that state alone, a
state that typically sees forty to fifty cases a year.
That is incredible, that's crazy to think.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
So where we are why we want to hop on
is because, yes, we heard the news. We've been talking
about it. Yesterday Robes, there was a false positive. The
FDA came out and said there was a false positive
test at Taylor Farms. Taylor Farms comes out and says, hey,
the FDA has apologized to us. What was the first
line the way they even.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
To today, FDA apologized.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
That was the statement. That's how they started their statement
yesterday Robes And obviously that sends a signal to the
country that, oh so Taylor Farms wasn't at the center
of this, absolutely guessing we're all good. The FDA has
now come out, according to several people who were on
the call they did with reporters yesterday Robes and says, no,
(03:08):
we didn't apologize to Taylor Farms. The Robes they also
said it this way, we didn't offer an official apology.
Does that mean anything to you? Does it? Is there
a difference?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Okay, there we go exactly the confusion, and that's frustrating
to me. You know, go ahead and just say it
could have been they said, sorry, guys, we didn't mean
to you know, point the finger at you, but we aren't.
I don't know whereas did they say, we officially apologize
to you. Kamma, Taylor Farms, Kamma, Like I don't know
where the truth lies. And to put out a statement,
(03:43):
first of all, I think it's irresponsible or which.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
For both both parties.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Both parties are being irresponsible because in order to try
and get ahead of it or get ahead of pr
basically they're throwing things out to the public and then
having to take them back, then having to clarify. Wait
until you know exactly what the truth is and then
speak it plainly or write it plainly. Don't in a
(04:10):
rush to get ahead of the other guy, say something
and then have to take it back or clarify it
or deny it. This is really juvenile behavior and it
makes the very little trust that we may have had
in these agencies completely evaporate.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
And add to this, now that we're going to get
into which is also making headlines and will continue to
make the round, certainly in the coming days, Robes, a
White House meeting between Taylor Farms executives and officials in
the administration, and a bunch of stuff happened after that meeting.
We'll get into that. And also there was a major donation, yes,
(04:48):
from Taylor Farms to a particular political party that you
could probably guess that people are connecting. But let's go
through here with the timeline that lands us where we are, Robes,
and this is a mess. So Friday, the CDC identified
tip Bell restaurants in five states that we think this
is where it's coming from. Don't eat lettuce from these
Taco Bell restaurants in five states. Also on Friday, Taylor
(05:09):
Farms issued a voluntary recall of all of its iceberg
lettuce in twenty seven states. They did this, they say,
based on information given to them from the FDA. Then
on the next day, Robes Saturday, FDA announces they've got
a positive test at Taylor Farms at their Mexico plant.
Then on Sunday, the FDA said, oh, sorry about that.
That positive test we announced yesterday was actually a false
(05:32):
positive test. And then by Monday, July twentieth, Taylor Farms
was putting out a statement saying the FDA apologized to
them later the day Monday, Yesterday, FDA says, no, we
didn't apologize, but we still think the lettuce from Taylor
Farms is the culprit Robes. That is what Taylor Farms
(05:53):
and I'd have to say, Robes, things happen in food safety.
We know this, We've covered this, Your dad spend so
whole life on this thing. These things do happen. Fine,
the more irresponsible thing, Robes feels like to put out
a statement saying the FDA apologized, they knew that was misleading, Robes.
(06:14):
They that was an intentional move to mislead the public,
and that is a safety issue. Robes. That is that's
the problem. That's the biggest issue I have in all
of this. Yes, they knew what they were doing when
they put that out, They know was a pr move.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
They led with the apology, and then to be even
more clear, they then said today we were informed the
FDA made a mistake. So they also went further by
throwing the FDA under the bus, and then in bold
added to be clear, at this moment, the FDA has
(06:53):
not identified a single positive product test result for cyclospora.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
That is true, clearly yes, that.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Is true, but clearly distancing themselves from the outbreak and
making it seem as though the FDA made a mistake
in identifying their company at all, which the FDA then
had to go back and clarify and say, no, we
didn't make a mistake in identifying this farm, because we
still believe Taylor Farms, specifically the farm in Mexico is
(07:23):
most likely responsible for this outbreak.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
But Robes that look, I understand the pr of it,
but your pr is putting people at further risk. You're
giving an impression to the country that it's all good.
Now go pick up our lift. I think most people
won't anyway, but you're giving an impression that it's all
good and it's all safe, you got nothing to worry about. Ropes.
That was a I found that to be irresponsible from
(07:50):
a safety standpoint to put that out look Taylor. I
don't know how much of their stuff we eat. That
turned me off, well, Psyclospora turned me off fine, But
this really off.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Look, and it is eroding public trust, not just in
government agencies, but also in this particular food company, in
this producer and one of the largest fresh food producers
in this country. I don't know that many people necessarily
knew their name, but they've certainly consumed their products, and
now we all know their name. And from what I've
(08:23):
seen online, most people are reacting exactly the same way
you are, and we are about their desire to try
and turn things around or change the pr on this
what we want to see as consumers. I think what
everyone wants to see is an acceptance of responsibility, accountability
and ways to change, ways to make sure this is lessened.
(08:46):
We all know that when you eat food there is
always an inherent risk. It's impossible to make sure that
this will never happen again, but you still and I
think people get that. People understand that, but you still
want to see a company like this take responsibility and
let folks know what they're doing to improve conditions, to
(09:06):
make sure or to limit this ever happening again.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
I would take them quiet over misleading. If they didn't
say anything, I'd feel better if they bold face looked
at us and said it's all good. They knew good
and hell well that the FDA was still tracing this
stuff back to them. And folks, please know that even
without the positive tests, these scientists, these health folks are doing.
(09:30):
They know how to trace this back. They're asking questions.
It didn't come out of nowhere. They were looking, Yeah,
why were they looking at the farm in the first place?
How did they even know to test something there? Because
it traced back to that farm. So they still believe
in great confidence that they have the right spot. Now,
the FDA the explanation ropes. I thought it was funny
how they explained the why there was a false positive,
(09:53):
And it was one of these things that sound like,
you know, this stuff is hard, guys.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Yeah, it's complex, right, That's what they keep say.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
But they say and look, I feel like anytime anyone,
whether it's a government agency or a private firm, has
to bold.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Face things or put things in all caps.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
I don't know if this is like because of President
Trump's truth social posts, but I'm starting to see this
more and more to try and emphasize or to correct
what misinformation is out there. But yes, the FDA put
out to clarify this false positive lab sample and then
in all caps does not change the basis for FDA's
ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming data supporting the current
(10:34):
voluntary recall by Taylor Farms, and so they went on
to say over the weekend, FDA alerted Taylor Farms that
a new sample of shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms of
Mexico tested positive recyclospora during import examination, but this ended
up being a false positive. Taylor Farms was alerted to
the corrective test results Sunday. This is the big important part, though,
(10:56):
they say, FDA's trace back investigation and outbreak data continue
to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations
in central Mexico. FDA will continue to work with federal
and state partners to investigate this multi state outbreak and
ensure products implicated in this outbreak have been removed from
(11:18):
the market.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Although I saw.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
News reports even as late as yesterday saying they were
going through stores and finding the product on the shelves,
So that's not shocking, but it was. I mean I
saw the video evidence people going, look, this is exactly
what's supposedly been voluntarily recalled. I mean, you and I
(11:41):
read the grocery store yesterday. I picked up ahead of
iceberg lettusons that want some. I mean, they were all
there for the take and not a person had it
in their bag.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
I didn't even look.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I was curious.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
No, I didn't even look.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
I saw you had a bag of lettuce, and yet
what was that romain? Romain?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I still I know you won't, but I'm I'm I
need lettuce. I just I peel off the outer layers
and I wash it thoroughly.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
And that's what people are doing. And I understand, and
generally speaking, most of us, I'm not probably at risk.
I ain't rolling those dice right now.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
I'm not eating iceberg lettuce. I can tell you that
I'm not.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Rolling those dice. And and look here, robes, this is
we have. Is there any warning I'm trying to think
I've said, I'm about to say, snow peas, raspberries, all
this stuff has anything else? Is there anything else we're
being told to look out?
Speaker 2 (12:31):
No, we've just been told that the types of foods
or produce that Cyclostporo has spora has been found in
recent or in other outbreaks. It's the other culprits are raspberries, basil,
snow peas, leafy greens, that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
There's no reason in this one. Nothing like that has
been out of it.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It hasn't been but they have actually been noted, and
certainly scientists have said, hey, we don't know the source
of perhaps some of these other outbreaks, and so out
of an abundance of caution, they have listed those other
produce items to be aware of and potentially to avoid
if you feel uncomfortable.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
All right, they're at least five. I didn't realize this rope.
They've had five cycle spare outbreaks this year. I think
they've sourced two or three, I think three of them.
So the last two one, of course, the one we're
going through. The other one is the one they're talking
about rogues. We's mentioned this morning. Folks were eating stuff,
got sick while traveling. They weren't even in the United States, right,
and they got hundreds of people who are not connected
(13:34):
to Taco bell or what is.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
And it is possible just want this to go out
there that they will never know the source of. They've
said that that they may never know. This isn't one
of those types of outbreaks and cyclo sporre to be specific,
it's actually known to be a very complex and difficult
to back what the FDA is saying way to source.
It's hard for them to know, just because it takes
so long for folks to get sick that it's very
(13:59):
difficult to actually pinpoint the source of a cyclospora outbreak.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
All right, well stay here, folks, there's more to the story,
and it goes through the White House, a million dollar
donation and a former White House official who is now
representing Taylor Farm.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Welcome back, everyone to this episode of Amy and TJ.
And look, this is where things go from bad to
maybe even really bad when you start to follow. Everyone says,
follow the money, right, follow the money. Look, there's a
lot of money at stake. This company is losing. I
don't even know how much money just initially from the recall,
(14:49):
but then for the aftermath the pr do people want
to purchase and buy Taylor Farm's produce going forward? This
is a big deal with millions perhaps billions at stay
and so yes, lobbying is a big part of all
of this.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Companies be hurting, wouldn't a bunch because I'm just not
buying lettuce? Like, aren't a lot of companies probably being hurt?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
I would imagine fresh produces taking a hit all over
the country, and farmers are going to feel the impact,
which is going to affect it's going to have ripple
effects throughout this economy here in the United States, and
certainly I would think I would imagine farms and growers
in Mexico as well specifically. But it should be no
surprise that these companies, Yes, they lobby our government. They're
(15:33):
always working for probably looser regulations and whatever is going
to benefit them financially. But this is a this is
a little bit suspect, and people started, this started trickling
out online and now people are full blown writing articles
about the connection between Taylor Farms executives and our current administration. Uh.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Yes, so we talked about that White House meeting right already,
that happened on last Thursday evening. Next thing, you know,
they get what some are calling a reprieve of sorts
with this false positive. All of a sudden, ooh, this
is the false positive now and all good with Taylor
Farms and Robes. They have tracked down now that Taylor Farms,
according to several news outlets Now and Record Show, made
(16:17):
a one million dollar donation to an organization that supports
President Trump. I believe it was called Maga Inc. Yeah,
but a million dollar donation that was last year in
twenty twenty five. They've also pointed out that the founder,
Bruce what was his name, Bruce Taylor, should get his
name right. Bruce Taylor played for the foot ballplayer what
(16:41):
was the guys?
Speaker 3 (16:42):
I don't know the guy's name.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
I don't know, Okay, Well, the CEO of Taylor Farms.
They've tracked down hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations.
He is all also made to Republican groups. Now, what
is that supposed to me?
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Go ahead, well, I was gonna say.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
The other thing that's been noted is that million dollar
donation to the Trump Super Pack MAGA Inc. That donation
took place on March twenty sixth, twenty twenty five, and
everyone is pointed to the fact that that was just
six days after the FDA announced it was pushing back
the implementation of its food Traceability rule.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
By nearly three years.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Now. That rule was supposed to go into effect this
year January of this year. And get this, given all
we're dealing with right now, that rule would have established
traceability record keeping requirements beyond what's already in existence for
people who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
So that would be Taylor Farms.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
So it was going to add extra record keeping requirements
for companies like Taylor Farms in the situation of an outbreak,
so that they would have better traceability records.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
So this donation is made after.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
They pushed back or they put a pause on these
new rules that were going to affect this company.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
That is a little bit of up.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
It's just a coincidence.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
It's yeah, I'm sure the timing was not at all.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
I don't want to cast displursions here, right, We don't
want to blame them for anything and say anything was untoward.
But this is why transparency is important, because things do
look bad, and there are too many people out there
online with the phones in the hand and can type
them and spread something if you don't come out and
tell us what's going on. So, yes, a million dollar
(18:27):
donation last year, plus hundreds of thousands of donations to
this and now you get a White House meeting and
now this positive test now comes out in your favor. Well,
there's just all stinks. And to add to that, they
are now being represented, according at least to The New
York Times, by someone Robes, who has pretty damn good
access to people in that White House. Of course it's
(18:49):
his name. Uh, there's a guy that they have hired
to do their lobbying for them. According to the New
York Times, his name is Trent Morse. Is not someone
maybe necessarily you have ever heard of, but he did
have a position of power White House. He was deputy
director of the Presidential Personnel Office. Now that might not
be something you hear about every day and hear the
President talk about, but this person is in control of
(19:11):
the hiring of administration officials throughout the administration. Wild's access
to damn near robes and knows everybody who came in.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
That's wild.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
And he left the gig in September of twenty twenty five.
He started his own lobbying firm, and yes, has now
been hired by Taylor Farms. And you raise the question,
isn't there supposed to be a year moratorium after you
leave an administration before you can then lobby said administration.
That would make a lot of sense from an ethical standpoint.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Damn good sense. And he may be just up against
that one year window. Don't know if it will make
a difference or not. But they have now hired a
guy who has pretty good access to the White House robes.
You add throw him in million dollar donation, false positive
that came after a White House meeting, all the donations.
(20:01):
So yes, people are gonna go wait a minute.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
People don't believe anything they're hearing or reading. And by
the way, it was Bruce Taylor. I wanted to I
was looking that up for you. Yes, you you almost
always you second guess yourself and nine times out of
ten you nail it. So yes, the CEO of Taylor
Farms is Bruce Taylor.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
But yes, he has been pointing out and digging through
all of his donations. So that's all. If the FDA
and the Taylor Farms and we apologize and know we
didn't and all this, we just don't trust anything. And
now all these details are coming out. This is not
building up a conspiracy theory. This is just a theory
based on the only facts we have. And you all
(20:39):
are a little short on giving them to us. And
when you do, you take them back and then you
fight in public about it. What the hell are we
supposed to believe? Yeah, and what the hell we supposed
to eat? Right?
Speaker 2 (20:47):
And there's panic all over the country. I mean, look,
people are saying Can I eat arugula? Can I eat romaine?
Can I eat let us of any variety? Can I
eat anything green? I mean, people are are struggling right now,
and we literally don't know who to believe.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Yes, look, I've my stomach hasn't been great, not because
I've been eating lettuce, but because I haven't. I'm on
a meat diet here lately. I've just been.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Grilling, like on a carnivore diet. It's true, It is true.
Sabina and I have been eating lettuce. I've just been
watching it and I've just been like, you know what,
I'm just We are at a restaurant yesterday we both
ordered salads.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Who looked at us like we were crazy. I enjoyed
the hell out of it. So far, so good.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Yeah, twenty four two day incubacy.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
I mean, you should just go ahead and join us,
because if it's going to happen to one of us,
it might as well happen to all of us.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Oh, that is a really selfish way to look and
pain within a family. Anyway. Look, I hope you can
laugh and smile a little bit, but this is unfortunate
what we're seeing, and we are still going through it,
and yes, just because people aren't dying doesn't mean, like
you said, your dad's lying.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
Yeah, they want to die. They want to die. That's
how miserable this outbreak is. If you are unfortunate enough
to yes, said contaminated let us. But we will stay
on top of this writ to sort through all the
bs and back and forth.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
But we always appreciate you listening to us. I'm Amy
Roblock alongside TJ. Holmes. We'll talk soon.
Hey, folks, it is Tuesday, July twenty first, and while
you are trying to decide what lettuce you should or
shouldn't eat, the FDA, the CDC, and Taylor Farms are
now in the center of a public spat over who's
to blame for this current cyclospora outbreaking with that, Welcome
(00:23):
to this episode of Amy and TJ. Robes. I used
to trust the CDC, I used to trust the FDA.
They say it, and I trust it, Robes, I don't
care what they say right now, I gotta go get
seventeen other sources to confirm that what I'm hearing from
these agencies is the truth. We have a public mess
that is once again eroding public trust.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yes, when you have grown adults who are in high profile,
high paying positions of authority and seeming credibility, you don't
want to see them saying nah, ah did not did too,
you did, I didn't.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
This is what's happening.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
It was a verbatim by the way people right finger pointing,
and I never said that this is awful, this is terrible.
Speaker 3 (01:09):
We already have a.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Difficult time knowing what to think or believe when we've
had major public health crises, which we've had a plenty,
but this latest one with the cyclospora outbreak. Thankfully, no
one's dying, no one's life is on the line, but
certainly people's quality of life is on the line.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
And that's of note.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
He was mentioned the trust thing. I remember the back
and forth with the vaccines. Remember that around COVID we
didn't know what to believe and who to believe and
what to trust, and there was This is where we
are again. I know it's not maybe we're not taking
it the same type of seriously, Robes, A lot of
people are with what's going on with our federal, our
government agencies because nobody's dying, but roabes, this is awful.
And where we are right now, folks, the cyclospora, and
(01:51):
we saw it again over the weekend. First of all,
Robes is that the numbers are once again going up
and spiking, and in particular in Michigan, which I'm sorry
miss again y'all are the epicenter of explosive diarrhea right now.
That's the truth.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
That's tough, that's a tough thing to be known for,
but right now, that is where Michigan is at this point.
And yes, as you mentioned the numbers rising. We're well
over six thousand documented cases in that state alone, a
state that typically sees forty to fifty cases a year.
That is incredible, that's crazy to think.
Speaker 1 (02:23):
So where we are why we want to hop on
is because, yes, we heard the news. We've been talking
about it. Yesterday Robes, there was a false positive. The
FDA came out and said there was a false positive
test at Taylor Farms. Taylor Farms comes out and says, hey,
the FDA has apologized to us. What was the first
line the way they even.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
To today, FDA apologized.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
That was the statement. That's how they started their statement
yesterday Robes And obviously that sends a signal to the
country that, oh so Taylor Farms wasn't at the center
of this, absolutely guessing we're all good. The FDA has
now come out, according to several people who were on
the call they did with reporters yesterday Robes and says, no,
(03:08):
we didn't apologize to Taylor Farms. The Robes they also
said it this way, we didn't offer an official apology.
Does that mean anything to you? Does it? Is there
a difference?
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Okay, there we go exactly the confusion, and that's frustrating
to me. You know, go ahead and just say it
could have been they said, sorry, guys, we didn't mean
to you know, point the finger at you, but we aren't.
I don't know whereas did they say, we officially apologize
to you. Kamma, Taylor Farms, Kamma, Like I don't know
where the truth lies. And to put out a statement,
(03:43):
first of all, I think it's irresponsible or which.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
For both both parties.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
Both parties are being irresponsible because in order to try
and get ahead of it or get ahead of pr
basically they're throwing things out to the public and then
having to take them back, then having to clarify. Wait
until you know exactly what the truth is and then
speak it plainly or write it plainly. Don't in a
(04:10):
rush to get ahead of the other guy, say something
and then have to take it back or clarify it
or deny it. This is really juvenile behavior and it
makes the very little trust that we may have had
in these agencies completely evaporate.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
And add to this, now that we're going to get
into which is also making headlines and will continue to
make the round, certainly in the coming days, Robes, a
White House meeting between Taylor Farms executives and officials in
the administration, and a bunch of stuff happened after that meeting.
We'll get into that. And also there was a major donation, yes,
(04:48):
from Taylor Farms to a particular political party that you
could probably guess that people are connecting. But let's go
through here with the timeline that lands us where we are, Robes,
and this is a mess. So Friday, the CDC identified
tip Bell restaurants in five states that we think this
is where it's coming from. Don't eat lettuce from these
Taco Bell restaurants in five states. Also on Friday, Taylor
(05:09):
Farms issued a voluntary recall of all of its iceberg
lettuce in twenty seven states. They did this, they say,
based on information given to them from the FDA. Then
on the next day, Robes Saturday, FDA announces they've got
a positive test at Taylor Farms at their Mexico plant.
Then on Sunday, the FDA said, oh, sorry about that.
That positive test we announced yesterday was actually a false
(05:32):
positive test. And then by Monday, July twentieth, Taylor Farms
was putting out a statement saying the FDA apologized to
them later the day Monday, Yesterday, FDA says, no, we
didn't apologize, but we still think the lettuce from Taylor
Farms is the culprit Robes. That is what Taylor Farms
(05:53):
and I'd have to say, Robes, things happen in food safety.
We know this, We've covered this, Your dad spend so
whole life on this thing. These things do happen. Fine,
the more irresponsible thing, Robes feels like to put out
a statement saying the FDA apologized, they knew that was misleading, Robes.
(06:14):
They that was an intentional move to mislead the public,
and that is a safety issue. Robes. That is that's
the problem. That's the biggest issue I have in all
of this. Yes, they knew what they were doing when
they put that out, They know was a pr move.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
They led with the apology, and then to be even
more clear, they then said today we were informed the
FDA made a mistake. So they also went further by
throwing the FDA under the bus, and then in bold
added to be clear, at this moment, the FDA has
(06:53):
not identified a single positive product test result for cyclospora.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
That is true, clearly yes, that.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Is true, but clearly distancing themselves from the outbreak and
making it seem as though the FDA made a mistake
in identifying their company at all, which the FDA then
had to go back and clarify and say, no, we
didn't make a mistake in identifying this farm, because we
still believe Taylor Farms, specifically the farm in Mexico is
(07:23):
most likely responsible for this outbreak.
Speaker 1 (07:26):
But Robes that look, I understand the pr of it,
but your pr is putting people at further risk. You're
giving an impression to the country that it's all good.
Now go pick up our lift. I think most people
won't anyway, but you're giving an impression that it's all
good and it's all safe, you got nothing to worry about. Ropes.
That was a I found that to be irresponsible from
(07:50):
a safety standpoint to put that out look Taylor. I
don't know how much of their stuff we eat. That
turned me off, well, Psyclospora turned me off fine, But
this really off.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Look, and it is eroding public trust, not just in
government agencies, but also in this particular food company, in
this producer and one of the largest fresh food producers
in this country. I don't know that many people necessarily
knew their name, but they've certainly consumed their products, and
now we all know their name. And from what I've
(08:23):
seen online, most people are reacting exactly the same way
you are, and we are about their desire to try
and turn things around or change the pr on this
what we want to see as consumers. I think what
everyone wants to see is an acceptance of responsibility, accountability
and ways to change, ways to make sure this is lessened.
(08:46):
We all know that when you eat food there is
always an inherent risk. It's impossible to make sure that
this will never happen again, but you still and I
think people get that. People understand that, but you still
want to see a company like this take responsibility and
let folks know what they're doing to improve conditions, to
(09:06):
make sure or to limit this ever happening again.
Speaker 1 (09:09):
I would take them quiet over misleading. If they didn't
say anything, I'd feel better if they bold face looked
at us and said it's all good. They knew good
and hell well that the FDA was still tracing this
stuff back to them. And folks, please know that even
without the positive tests, these scientists, these health folks are doing.
(09:30):
They know how to trace this back. They're asking questions.
It didn't come out of nowhere. They were looking, Yeah,
why were they looking at the farm in the first place?
How did they even know to test something there? Because
it traced back to that farm. So they still believe
in great confidence that they have the right spot. Now,
the FDA the explanation ropes. I thought it was funny
how they explained the why there was a false positive,
(09:53):
And it was one of these things that sound like,
you know, this stuff is hard, guys.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Yeah, it's complex, right, That's what they keep say.
Speaker 2 (10:00):
But they say and look, I feel like anytime anyone,
whether it's a government agency or a private firm, has
to bold.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Face things or put things in all caps.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
I don't know if this is like because of President
Trump's truth social posts, but I'm starting to see this
more and more to try and emphasize or to correct
what misinformation is out there. But yes, the FDA put
out to clarify this false positive lab sample and then
in all caps does not change the basis for FDA's
ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming data supporting the current
(10:34):
voluntary recall by Taylor Farms, and so they went on
to say over the weekend, FDA alerted Taylor Farms that
a new sample of shredded lettuce from Taylor Farms of
Mexico tested positive recyclospora during import examination, but this ended
up being a false positive. Taylor Farms was alerted to
the corrective test results Sunday. This is the big important part, though,
(10:56):
they say, FDA's trace back investigation and outbreak data continue
to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations
in central Mexico. FDA will continue to work with federal
and state partners to investigate this multi state outbreak and
ensure products implicated in this outbreak have been removed from
(11:18):
the market.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Although I saw.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
News reports even as late as yesterday saying they were
going through stores and finding the product on the shelves,
So that's not shocking, but it was. I mean I
saw the video evidence people going, look, this is exactly
what's supposedly been voluntarily recalled. I mean, you and I
(11:41):
read the grocery store yesterday. I picked up ahead of
iceberg lettusons that want some. I mean, they were all
there for the take and not a person had it
in their bag.
Speaker 3 (11:50):
I didn't even look.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I was curious.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
No, I didn't even look.
Speaker 1 (11:53):
I saw you had a bag of lettuce, and yet
what was that romain? Romain?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I still I know you won't, but I'm I'm I
need lettuce. I just I peel off the outer layers
and I wash it thoroughly.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
And that's what people are doing. And I understand, and
generally speaking, most of us, I'm not probably at risk.
I ain't rolling those dice right now.
Speaker 3 (12:10):
I'm not eating iceberg lettuce. I can tell you that
I'm not.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
Rolling those dice. And and look here, robes, this is
we have. Is there any warning I'm trying to think
I've said, I'm about to say, snow peas, raspberries, all
this stuff has anything else? Is there anything else we're
being told to look out?
Speaker 2 (12:31):
No, we've just been told that the types of foods
or produce that Cyclostporo has spora has been found in
recent or in other outbreaks. It's the other culprits are raspberries, basil,
snow peas, leafy greens, that kind of thing.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
There's no reason in this one. Nothing like that has
been out of it.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
It hasn't been but they have actually been noted, and
certainly scientists have said, hey, we don't know the source
of perhaps some of these other outbreaks, and so out
of an abundance of caution, they have listed those other
produce items to be aware of and potentially to avoid
if you feel uncomfortable.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
All right, they're at least five. I didn't realize this rope.
They've had five cycle spare outbreaks this year. I think
they've sourced two or three, I think three of them.
So the last two one, of course, the one we're
going through. The other one is the one they're talking
about rogues. We's mentioned this morning. Folks were eating stuff,
got sick while traveling. They weren't even in the United States, right,
and they got hundreds of people who are not connected
(13:34):
to Taco bell or what is.
Speaker 2 (13:36):
And it is possible just want this to go out
there that they will never know the source of. They've
said that that they may never know. This isn't one
of those types of outbreaks and cyclo sporre to be specific,
it's actually known to be a very complex and difficult
to back what the FDA is saying way to source.
It's hard for them to know, just because it takes
so long for folks to get sick that it's very
(13:59):
difficult to actually pinpoint the source of a cyclospora outbreak.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
All right, well stay here, folks, there's more to the story,
and it goes through the White House, a million dollar
donation and a former White House official who is now
representing Taylor Farm.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Welcome back, everyone to this episode of Amy and TJ.
And look, this is where things go from bad to
maybe even really bad when you start to follow. Everyone says,
follow the money, right, follow the money. Look, there's a
lot of money at stake. This company is losing. I
don't even know how much money just initially from the recall,
(14:49):
but then for the aftermath the pr do people want
to purchase and buy Taylor Farm's produce going forward? This
is a big deal with millions perhaps billions at stay
and so yes, lobbying is a big part of all
of this.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Companies be hurting, wouldn't a bunch because I'm just not
buying lettuce? Like, aren't a lot of companies probably being hurt?
Speaker 2 (15:11):
I would imagine fresh produces taking a hit all over
the country, and farmers are going to feel the impact,
which is going to affect it's going to have ripple
effects throughout this economy here in the United States, and
certainly I would think I would imagine farms and growers
in Mexico as well specifically. But it should be no
surprise that these companies, Yes, they lobby our government. They're
(15:33):
always working for probably looser regulations and whatever is going
to benefit them financially. But this is a this is
a little bit suspect, and people started, this started trickling
out online and now people are full blown writing articles
about the connection between Taylor Farms executives and our current administration. Uh.
Speaker 1 (15:55):
Yes, so we talked about that White House meeting right already,
that happened on last Thursday evening. Next thing, you know,
they get what some are calling a reprieve of sorts
with this false positive. All of a sudden, ooh, this
is the false positive now and all good with Taylor
Farms and Robes. They have tracked down now that Taylor Farms,
according to several news outlets Now and Record Show, made
(16:17):
a one million dollar donation to an organization that supports
President Trump. I believe it was called Maga Inc. Yeah,
but a million dollar donation that was last year in
twenty twenty five. They've also pointed out that the founder,
Bruce what was his name, Bruce Taylor, should get his
name right. Bruce Taylor played for the foot ballplayer what
(16:41):
was the guys?
Speaker 3 (16:42):
I don't know the guy's name.
Speaker 1 (16:43):
I don't know, Okay, Well, the CEO of Taylor Farms.
They've tracked down hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations.
He is all also made to Republican groups. Now, what
is that supposed to me?
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Go ahead, well, I was gonna say.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
The other thing that's been noted is that million dollar
donation to the Trump Super Pack MAGA Inc. That donation
took place on March twenty sixth, twenty twenty five, and
everyone is pointed to the fact that that was just
six days after the FDA announced it was pushing back
the implementation of its food Traceability rule.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
By nearly three years.
Speaker 2 (17:17):
Now. That rule was supposed to go into effect this
year January of this year. And get this, given all
we're dealing with right now, that rule would have established
traceability record keeping requirements beyond what's already in existence for
people who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
So that would be Taylor Farms.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
So it was going to add extra record keeping requirements
for companies like Taylor Farms in the situation of an outbreak,
so that they would have better traceability records.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
So this donation is made after.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
They pushed back or they put a pause on these
new rules that were going to affect this company.
Speaker 3 (17:59):
That is a little bit of up.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
It's just a coincidence.
Speaker 3 (18:02):
It's yeah, I'm sure the timing was not at all.
Speaker 1 (18:06):
I don't want to cast displursions here, right, We don't
want to blame them for anything and say anything was untoward.
But this is why transparency is important, because things do
look bad, and there are too many people out there
online with the phones in the hand and can type
them and spread something if you don't come out and
tell us what's going on. So, yes, a million dollar
(18:27):
donation last year, plus hundreds of thousands of donations to
this and now you get a White House meeting and
now this positive test now comes out in your favor. Well,
there's just all stinks. And to add to that, they
are now being represented, according at least to The New
York Times, by someone Robes, who has pretty damn good
access to people in that White House. Of course it's
(18:49):
his name. Uh, there's a guy that they have hired
to do their lobbying for them. According to the New
York Times, his name is Trent Morse. Is not someone
maybe necessarily you have ever heard of, but he did
have a position of power White House. He was deputy
director of the Presidential Personnel Office. Now that might not
be something you hear about every day and hear the
President talk about, but this person is in control of
(19:11):
the hiring of administration officials throughout the administration. Wild's access
to damn near robes and knows everybody who came in.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
That's wild.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
And he left the gig in September of twenty twenty five.
He started his own lobbying firm, and yes, has now
been hired by Taylor Farms. And you raise the question,
isn't there supposed to be a year moratorium after you
leave an administration before you can then lobby said administration.
That would make a lot of sense from an ethical standpoint.
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Damn good sense. And he may be just up against
that one year window. Don't know if it will make
a difference or not. But they have now hired a
guy who has pretty good access to the White House robes.
You add throw him in million dollar donation, false positive
that came after a White House meeting, all the donations.
(20:01):
So yes, people are gonna go wait a minute.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
People don't believe anything they're hearing or reading. And by
the way, it was Bruce Taylor. I wanted to I
was looking that up for you. Yes, you you almost
always you second guess yourself and nine times out of
ten you nail it. So yes, the CEO of Taylor
Farms is Bruce Taylor.
Speaker 1 (20:18):
But yes, he has been pointing out and digging through
all of his donations. So that's all. If the FDA
and the Taylor Farms and we apologize and know we
didn't and all this, we just don't trust anything. And
now all these details are coming out. This is not
building up a conspiracy theory. This is just a theory
based on the only facts we have. And you all
(20:39):
are a little short on giving them to us. And
when you do, you take them back and then you
fight in public about it. What the hell are we
supposed to believe? Yeah, and what the hell we supposed
to eat? Right?
Speaker 2 (20:47):
And there's panic all over the country. I mean, look,
people are saying Can I eat arugula? Can I eat romaine?
Can I eat let us of any variety? Can I
eat anything green? I mean, people are are struggling right now,
and we literally don't know who to believe.
Speaker 1 (21:03):
Yes, look, I've my stomach hasn't been great, not because
I've been eating lettuce, but because I haven't. I'm on
a meat diet here lately. I've just been.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
Grilling, like on a carnivore diet. It's true, It is true.
Sabina and I have been eating lettuce. I've just been
watching it and I've just been like, you know what,
I'm just We are at a restaurant yesterday we both
ordered salads.
Speaker 3 (21:25):
Who looked at us like we were crazy. I enjoyed
the hell out of it. So far, so good.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Yeah, twenty four two day incubacy.
Speaker 2 (21:32):
I mean, you should just go ahead and join us,
because if it's going to happen to one of us,
it might as well happen to all of us.
Speaker 1 (21:37):
Oh, that is a really selfish way to look and
pain within a family. Anyway. Look, I hope you can
laugh and smile a little bit, but this is unfortunate
what we're seeing, and we are still going through it,
and yes, just because people aren't dying doesn't mean, like
you said, your dad's lying.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
Yeah, they want to die. They want to die. That's
how miserable this outbreak is. If you are unfortunate enough
to yes, said contaminated let us. But we will stay
on top of this writ to sort through all the
bs and back and forth.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
But we always appreciate you listening to us. I'm Amy
Roblock alongside TJ. Holmes. We'll talk soon.
Hosts And Creators
Amy Robach
T.J. Holmes
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