The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Sunday that a positive Cyclospora test result for Taylor Farms shredded iceberg lettuce was a false positive [2], [6].
This retraction complicates the effort to identify the origin of a wider outbreak. While the specific sample is no longer considered contaminated, the FDA has not yet located the actual source of the parasite affecting consumers [4].
The agency first reported a positive test result for the lettuce on Saturday, July 20, 2026 [1], [5]. However, follow-up testing showed no contamination, leading the FDA to reverse the finding on Sunday, July 21, 2026 [2], [6].
Detecting Cyclospora is notoriously difficult, which can lead to initial testing errors [7]. Despite the retraction of the positive result, the recall of the shredded iceberg lettuce remains in effect [3].
The FDA continues to investigate the supply chain to determine how the parasite entered the food system. Because the source of the outbreak remains unknown [4], the agency is maintaining the recall as a precautionary measure to protect public health.
Taylor Farms products distributed across the U.S. were the focus of the initial positive result [1], [2]. The agency's shift in findings highlights the technical challenges of parasite detection in fresh produce, a process that often requires multiple rounds of verification to ensure accuracy.
“The recall of the lettuce remains in effect”
The reversal of the test result indicates a failure in the initial detection process, but it does not clear the product of suspicion. Because the broader outbreak continues without a confirmed source, the FDA is prioritizing consumer safety over the immediate reputation of the supplier by keeping the recall active.
