The U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined Sunday that a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms which initially tested positive for Cyclospora was a false positive [1].
This reversal clarifies the safety status of the produce and addresses potential public health alarms regarding the parasite, which can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. The finding follows a re-evaluation of samples linked to the company's operations in Mexico.
Laboratory experts re-checked the test results and determined the original positive result was due to a testing error [1]. The error was identified during a review of a sample from the Taylor Farms de Mexico facility [2].
"The false positive was discovered when the agency again reviewed the results of a sample from Taylor Farms de Mexico," an FDA spokesperson said [2].
The agency has now confirmed that there are no verified instances of the parasite in the tested products. "We have not found any confirmed positive sample results for product testing for cyclospora," the FDA spokesperson said [1].
Despite the corrected test result, the company is maintaining its previous safety precautions. A Taylor Farms spokesperson said, "It does not change the company's earlier voluntary recall" [3].
The announcement occurred on July 20, 2026 [1], providing a resolution to the initial contamination report. The FDA continues to monitor food safety protocols at the Mexico facility to ensure compliance with federal standards.
“"We have not found any confirmed positive sample results for product testing for cyclospora."”
The determination of a false positive suggests that the initial health risk may have been overstated due to laboratory error rather than actual contamination. However, Taylor Farms' decision to proceed with its voluntary recall indicates a conservative approach to risk management, prioritizing consumer confidence and safety over the cost of the recall process.
