Taylor Farms released a new statement Friday amid an investigation into the source of a cyclosporiasis outbreak across the U.S. The company, which remains at the center of U.S. health officials’ investigation, said it has taken added precautions despite no positive test results involving its pr oduct so far. “We are passionate about helping people live healthier lives through fresh produce, and the safety of our food is paramount. We maintain best-in-class Cyclospora prevention protocols and invest more than $200 million annually into our independently audited and verified food safety protocols,” a spokesperson for Taylor Farms said in a statement. The spokesperson said the company issued an urgent recall of potentially affected produce “out of an abundance of caution.” “When questions were raised about the source of the recent Cyclospora outbreak, we immediately removed all potentially implicated product from the marketplace, and out of an abundance of caution we issued an even broader recall of all iceberg lettuce sourced from the region. We have also voluntarily suspended all iceberg lettuce sourcing and production from central Mexico,” the statement read. “We’ve commissioned independent experts to conduct a top-to-bottom review of food safety processes and protocols in our central Mexico facility. We continue to work with health authorities, customers, and independent farming partners to address this issue.” The statement comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Food and Drug Administration expanded the number of states in their outbreak investigation to nine Friday, adding Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. The alerts came with a warning: “Do not eat recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico” while noting the FDA’s investigation is ongoing. According to its latest update, the CDC reported at least 1,947 infections associated with the nine states, all of whom “reported exposure to Taco Bell.” At least 98 of those cases have required hospitalization but no deaths have been reported. The total number of people sickened by the outbreak is likely higher than the official tally, given that not all cases are reported, the agency noted. FDA officials earlier this week said they remain focused on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of the multistate outbreak. Health Wellness 12 hours ago Cyclosporiasis outbreak expands to 9 states Health Jul 14 Nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis confirmed or under investigation nationwide, CDC says “This increase in cases is, in part, due to the identification and addition of four new states that are now considered part of this outbreak,” the CDC reported. “We also expect to continue to see the number of confirmed cases rise, despite the recall, due to the fact that it can take as long as six weeks for CDC and state officials to determine if a sick person is part of this outbreak.” Mexican health officials announced Thursday that the parasite was not detected in the lettuce or water at the Taylor Farms plant in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. The results were announced following a visit by Mexican health authorities to the Taylor Farms plant between July 18 and 20, during which 10 samples of iceberg lettuce were collected. Four water samples also were collected for analysis, authorities stated. Where was the recalled lettuce sold? Taylor Farms de Mexico initiated a voluntary recall of all iceberg lettuce from central Mexico on July 17, including products that were sent to grocery stores and restaurants in more than a dozen states. According to the recall notice, iceberg lettuce from Taylor Fresh Foods was distributed to food service locations from June 29 through July 16 in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. “Taco Bell has indicated they are no longer using lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico,” the FDA reported Friday. The recalled lettuce was also sold at select Walmart stores in: Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Missour Mississippi Oklahoma Tennessee Texas Virginia West Virginia Health experts have stressed proper food hygiene practices as the outbreak continues to expand, but urged anyone in the impacted states not to eat the recalled lettuce. The FDA offered the following advice: Consumers, restaurants and retailers who purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods should discard it immediately and not consume it. Full refunds are also available at the location of purchase. If you have symptoms of cyclosporiasis, contact your health care provider to report symptoms and receive care, especially if you ate shredded iceberg lettuce in the two weeks before you got sick. If you purchased or received recalled iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched. Consumers should follow the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Restaurants and retailers should follow the FDA’s food safety tips. The Associated Press contributed to this story. ...read more read less