Federal regulators said no produce samples have been confirmed positive for Cyclospora, but consumers should still discard recalled iceberg lettuce distributed across 27 states.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.
The Food and Drug Administration has withdrawn an earlier finding that shredded lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora, saying a second review determined that the laboratory result was a false positive.
The FDA announced Saturday that a lettuce sample collected during its investigation of a nationwide increase in cyclosporiasis cases contained the parasite. Laboratory specialists subsequently reexamined the testing data and concluded that the result did not show a genuine detection.
“Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive,” the agency said Sunday.
The FDA notified Taylor Farms of the revised finding and said federal and state officials were continuing to collect and analyze additional samples.
“As of July 19, 2026, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora,” the FDA said.
Taylor Farms said regulators informed the company that the original announcement resulted from “a mistake.”
“To be clear, at this moment, FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora,” the company said.
Taylor Farms also stressed that products other than the recalled iceberg lettuce have not been connected to the outbreak investigation.
The company initiated a recall July 17 after receiving information from the FDA. The affected iceberg lettuce originated in Mexico and was distributed to 27 states between June 19 and July 16.
The following day, the FDA announced that another sample gathered during the investigation had tested positive for Cyclospora and said that particular product was not included in the recall. Regulators have now reversed that finding.
Despite the corrected laboratory result, the FDA has not withdrawn its recommendation involving the recalled lettuce.
Consumers, restaurants and businesses that purchased or received the recalled iceberg lettuce should discard it and seek refunds from the place of purchase, regulators said.
The lettuce was served at Taco Bell restaurants and may have been supplied to other food-service locations. The FDA advised consumers not to eat the recalled product at any restaurant that may still possess it.
Taco Bell said it removed all Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food or water through contact with human feces. It causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis.
The most common symptom is prolonged watery diarrhea that can be frequent or explosive. Other possible symptoms include loss of appetite, stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, fatigue and weight loss.
Thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported nationwide in recent months, exceeding levels normally recorded during the typical seasonal period.
The source of the broader increase remains under investigation. The absence of a confirmed positive lettuce sample does not establish that Cyclospora is absent from every product being examined or identify what caused the reported illnesses.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises people experiencing symptoms, particularly persistent watery or explosive diarrhea and reduced appetite, to contact a health care provider.
Cyclosporiasis cannot be confirmed through symptoms alone. Diagnosis requires laboratory testing of a stool sample.
The FDA said its investigation is continuing with state partners as officials conduct additional product sampling and attempt to determine the source of the elevated number of infections.
Original article
Comments