FDA Retracts Cyclospora Alert on Taylor Farms Lettuce

On July 19, the FDA issued a statement that sounded almost like a sigh of relief: the lab result that had flagged a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms as positive for the cyclospora parasite was, in fact, a false positive.

Just two days earlier, the agency had warned the public that a batch of the leafy greens, destined for a chain of fast‑food restaurants, tested positive for the parasite that causes cyclosporiasis. The news sparked concern, especially because the CDC had already linked a handful of cases to lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across several Midwestern states.

But after a second look—basically a fresh set of eyes on the original specimen—the FDA’s microbiology experts concluded the first test result couldn’t be trusted. "We have re‑checked the lettuce sample and determined the finding should be considered a false positive," the agency wrote in its update.

What does that mean for consumers? As of the latest report, there are no confirmed positive samples of cyclospora in any Taylor Farms product on the market. The company was notified, and officials say they are working with Taylor Farms to confirm that none of the lettuce currently in stores needs to be pulled.

Taylor Farms, a major grower with facilities in both the United States and Mexico, quickly clarified that the implicated lettuce was not part of any ongoing recall. The firm has not offered further comment, but the FDA’s message was clear: the scare appears to have been a laboratory hiccup, not a food‑safety crisis.

Cyclosporiasis, the illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, can lead to watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. It has sickened thousands of Americans over the years, but deaths are exceedingly rare. The CDC currently reports around 100 hospitalizations linked to the recent outbreak, with no fatalities.

While the false‑positive label eases immediate worry, the episode is a reminder of how fragile the chain of testing, reporting, and public confidence can be. Health officials continue to monitor the situation, urging anyone who believes they might be ill after eating lettuce or other fresh produce to seek medical advice.

In the end, the lettuce that sparked headlines was produced in a Taylor Farms facility in Guanajuato, Mexico, packaged in five‑pound bags, and shipped north. Thanks to the extra round of testing, those bags can now sit on grocery shelves without the cloud of a cyclospora scare looming over them.