Taylor Farms Repeatedly Missed Workplace

Taylor Farms, the produce company linked to a U.S. cyclospora outbreak, has frequently failed to submit federally required annual workplace injury logs in recent years. A Reuters review of federal records found this included at least four facilities where workers suffered fatal or serious injuries.

Over the past five years, only five to seven of the company's facilities filed the required annual report on time each year. At least 17 facilities were required to file based on their size and hazardous work. Reuters calculations indicate the company's overall reporting rate is well below the industry average of 78%.

Reporting Gaps and Public Scrutiny

Taylor Farms acknowledged the reporting gaps to Reuters. The company stated that employee safety is a core priority and that gaps in the electronic submission of its injury log summary forms have been addressed. It said it recently invested in new workplace safety reporting software. The company did not provide the logs or further details when asked.

Workplace safety watchdog groups say these gaps make it hard for the public to assess the company's safety record. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stated that electronic submission of these logs helps the agency focus enforcement and is important for public access. OSHA can penalize companies up to $16,550 per reporting violation.

A History of Citations and Disputes

Since 2021, OSHA and state regulators have levied nearly $1.8 million in citations against Taylor Farms. These relate to machine hazards, amputations, and failures to properly train employees. The company hires many workers from temporary staffing agencies.

A Reuters review of OSHA records found that since 2016, Taylor Farms has disputed more than half of its OSHA citations. The food manufacturing sector typically disputes slightly less than a quarter. The company and OSHA did not respond to questions about this high dispute rate.

Fatalities and Serious Incidents

Specific facilities missing injury logs include sites of serious worker harm. A worker at a Taylor Farms plant in Swedesboro, New Jersey, died last year from injuries suffered while cleaning equipment. OSHA later levied a fine of more than $1 million for "willfully and repeatedly" violating safety rules. Taylor Farms has disputed these citations.

Another facility without recent public logs is the processing plant in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Thirteen workers were hospitalized there in November following an ammonia leak. OSHA inspectors proposed $23,000 in citations, which Taylor Farms has also disputed.

OSHA did not respond to questions about whether Taylor Farms' reporting lapses reflect insufficient enforcement by the agency.