FDA says Taylor Farms lettuce sample tested for cyclospora produced false positive for the parasite

The FDA said a lettuce sample associated with a Cyclospora alert produced a false positive result. Federal officials reported that a sample of iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico—an upstream supplier that had recalled products after a multi-state outbreak—was re-reviewed by the agency and did not confirm true presence of the parasite. As of July 19, 2026, the FDA stated there are no confirmed positive sample results for Cyclospora from product testing. The false positive does not change Taylor Farms’ earlier voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Taylor Farms said the FDA made a mistake and apologized, adding that the FDA had not identified any single positive product test result. The recall had covered distribution to stores in 27 states; the FDA previously warned consumers not to eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Nearly 7,000 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed or investigated in the U.S. since May 1.