Taylor Farms Cleared as FDA Calls Cyclospora Test a False Positive

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Sunday that a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce previously thought to be contaminated with *Cyclospora* was, in fact, a false positive. The agency stated that its laboratory experts re-evaluated the test results, leading to the reversal of the initial finding.

Reversal of Findings

The FDA's updated statement, issued on July 19, 2026, supersedes a warning from the previous day. On Saturday, the agency had reported that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms tested positive for the parasite.

Following a re-review, the FDA concluded the initial result was incorrect. As of its latest announcement, the agency confirmed there were no confirmed positive sample results for *Cyclospora* related to this specific investigation.

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Context of the Investigation

The initial test was part of a broader public health investigation into a widespread *Cyclospora* outbreak that has sickened thousands of people across the United States. *Cyclospora cayetanensis* is a microscopic parasite that can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis.

The retraction clears this particular product sample from the investigation, a significant development for Taylor Farms. However, the FDA's broader inquiry into the source of the national outbreak continues.