FDA Says Cyclospora Lettuce Test Was False Positive

A lettuce sample supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico previously reported as testing positive for Cyclospora in an ongoing multistate outbreak has now been determined to be a false positive, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said July 19.

The five-state outbreak includes 1,644 illnesses associated with Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, although FDA has said the illnesses represent a subset of Cyclospora cases reported nationwide.

FDA said laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample after the agency reported a positive result on July 18. Because Cyclospora testing is complex, the agency concluded the finding “does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive.” FDA has removed information about the sample from its July 18 outbreak update.

FDA said it has notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the company to ensure the product implicated has been removed from the market. FDA and state partners continue to collect and analyze product samples.

As of July 19, FDA said there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora.

Taylor Farms de Mexico Recalls All Iceberg Lettuce.

On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico, announced that it was voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market due to potential Cyclospora contamination. As of July 20, the recall had not been withdrawn or terminated.

The shredded iceberg product was distributed June 29 through July 16 in 27 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Taylor Fresh Foods’ recall notice includes the following Marketside-brand product sold at select Walmart stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia: 

• 12-oz and 24-oz Iceberg Salad with Best if Used By dates 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026 
• 8-oz and 16-oz Shredded Lettuce with Best if Used By dates July 18th to Aug 3rd 2026 

It also includes 33 foodservice products under abbreviated brand or customer codes but does not identify the specific restaurants or other establishments that received them.

A complete list of affected products, lot codes, use-by dates and instructions for returning or disposing of them is available here.