Cyclospora test was a ‘false positive,’ FDA says, but investigation continues to focus on Taylor Farms.

On July 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration provided an update stating a sample of lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico presented incorrect findings and that the sample is considered a false positive.

The FDA has notified Taylor Farms and state partners and is continuing to collect and analyze product samples, according to the federal agency. 

This finding, however, does not entirely clear Taylor Farms. “FDA’s traceback investigation and outbreak data continue to converge on shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms locations in central Mexico,” according to a July 20 statement from the FDA. The agency reports the false positive was tied to a newer sample collected during the ongoing investigation. 

“Yesterday, FDA informed Taylor Fresh Foods that one of its iceberg lettuce products from central Mexico tested positive for cyclospora,” the company said in a statement issued on Sunday, July 19. “Today, we were informed that FDA made a mistake, and this was a false positive.”

There have been more than 1,644 cases and 94 hospitalizations across five states linked to the parasite, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although many news outlets report that number is likely much higher.

In response to the initial reports linking Taylor Farms to the Cyclospora outbreak, the company announced they were voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. The company said out of an abundance of caution, they completed a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. 

“All other Taylor Farms products, including all Taylor Farms brand products available for purchase, are not involved in the recall,” the company said. “Our thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill in this outbreak. We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues.”