2 BigLaw partners retained for Taylor Farms, Taco Bell over contaminated lettuce lawsuits
Fruit and vegetable producer Taylor Farms and fast-food chain Taco Bell have retained two Am Law 100 law firms to defend them against more than a dozen lawsuits regarding a cyclospora outbreak allegedly caused by shredded iceberg lettuce. (Photo by Ildar Imashev/Getty Images)
Fruit and vegetable producer Taylor Farms and fast-food chain Taco Bell have retained two Am Law 100 law firms to defend them against more than a dozen lawsuits regarding a cyclospora outbreak allegedly caused by shredded iceberg lettuce.
Law.com reported Wednesday that P. Andrew McStay, a food contamination attorney in Portland, Oregon, and a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine, is the lead defense counsel for Taylor Farms. Michael W. McTigue Jr., a class action defense partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York, has been retained by Taco Bell.
Several suits have been filed throughout the country against Salinas, California-based Taylor Farms over its lettuce recall in July, which has impacted several retailers, and Taco Bell—which also has been named as a defendant in most of the suits, Law.com reports.
On Aug. 9, the Food and Drug Administration announced that Taylor Farms had recalled its salsa, guacamole and other products that contained jalapeno peppers that were sold at Trader Joe’s and other retailers. The recall came following an outbreak of 345 cases of salmonella, 36 of which involved hospitalizations, in 27 states, according to Law.com. The salmonella infections were linked to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, and a supplier—Coast Citrus Distributors.
According to the FDA, “cyclospora is a parasite that is so small it can only be seen under a microscope.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds that “cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite.”
McStay, McTigue and spokespeople for Taylor Farms and Taco Bell did not immediately respond to interview requests by Law.com.
See also:
Attorneys begin filing lawsuits over contaminated lettuce linked to outbreak of cyclospora
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