FDA Clears Taylor Farms Lettuce Test – False Positive, But Recall Still Underway

On July 19, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration quietly updated the public: the lettuce sample that had been flagged as positive for the parasite Cyclospora was, in fact, a false positive. After a second look by laboratory experts, the agency concluded the original result “does not represent true amplification.” In other words, the test that set off alarms in the first place was simply wrong.

That correction came a day after the FDA’s July 18 update, which had still listed the sample as positive. The change matters because the original finding helped fuel a nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce that originated in central Mexico and was marketed under the Taylor Farms name.

The recall itself isn’t new. On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico announced it would voluntarily pull all iceberg lettuce grown in that region from the U.S. market. Meanwhile, its U.S. arm, Taylor Fresh Foods, launched a recall of specific Marketside‑brand iceberg salad and shredded lettuce packages that had been on shelves at certain Walmart locations and in food‑service channels.

Why the fuss? Health officials are still tracking a Cyclospora outbreak that’s been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. So far, the outbreak has sickened people in five states, though the exact number of cases and the severity of illness haven’t been disclosed in the latest FDA brief.

As of the July 19 statement, the FDA says there are no confirmed positive product samples in the ongoing testing. That doesn’t mean the risk is gone—just that the particular batch that triggered the alarm turned out to be a lab error.

For consumers who may have bought the recalled items, the best move is simple: check the packaging. The recalled products are usually sold in 12‑ounce and 24‑ounce marketside bags and bear the “Marketside” label. If you have any of those on hand, toss them or return them to the store for a refund.

Meanwhile, the investigation continues. The CDC, local health departments, and the FDA are all working together to pin down the source of the outbreak, and they’ve asked anyone with symptoms of diarrhea, fever, or stomach cramps after eating lettuce to reach out to their health providers.

In short, the false‑positive lab result is a relief, but it doesn’t erase the larger food‑safety picture. Until the outbreak is fully resolved, keeping an eye on recalls and staying informed remains the safest bet.