Cyclosporiasis: FDA says Taylor Farms lettuce sample provided 'false positive'

FOX 2 - The Cyclosporiasis saga has taken another twist with the Food and Drug Administration claiming that a sample from Taylor Farms provided a "false positive."

Taylor Farms lettuce recall

The backstory:

Taylor Farms expanded a voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico because of a potential link to the multistate Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened people in Michigan and across the U.S.

On Sunday the FDA said that laboratory experts re-reviewed sample results for Cyclospora supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico which was reported positive on July 18, 2026. 

It found that it was a false positive, in a statement released Sunday.

"Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive."

Lettuce supplied from a source by Taylor Farmside Mexico was identified for Cyclospora contamination in food served at Taco Bell restaurants in five Midwestern states.

The FDA has notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the firm to ensure product implicated in this outbreak has been removed from the market. FDA and state partners continue to collect and analyze product samples. 

As of July 19, 2026, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora, according to the FDA, which updated its findings online.

Dig deeper:

Taylor Fresh Foods’ recall notice included Marketside-brand product available at Walmart: 

• 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

Products with the potential to be contaminated with the diarrhea-causing parasite were shipped to 27 states including Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Illinois and New Jersey, the California-based company said in a statement Friday.

"We are actively removing the implicated products," the statement said, adding that the company has stopped sourcing lettuce from an implicated lot in central Mexico.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Infection have linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Michigan, as well as four other states. 

FDA apologizes

The other side:

Taylor Farms said on social media Monday that the FDA had apologized to them for the mistake, but that it has still issued its recall for iceberg lettuce from central Mexico out of an abundance of caution. 

"All other Taylor Farms products, including all Taylor Farms brand products, are not involved in the recall," the business said. 

"Out thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill in this outbreak. We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues." 

Cyclosporiasis outbreak in Michigan

Local perspective:

As of Friday, July 17: 

• 5,0002  cases reported in Michigan
• As of July 17, 2026, 102 reported cases indicated they had been hospitalized

Last Thursday the FDA issued a statement warning against eating Taco Bell lettuce at Michigan locations. 

Dig deeper:

More than 1,644 sick people in this outbreak reported eating at Taco Bell locations in 5 states.

FDA's traceback investigation has identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico used by these Taco Bell locations.

The FDA is working directly with the supplier to determine if contaminated shredded iceberg lettuce went to other places, while Taco Bell is working to stop using this lettuce. 

Other food items that could be ruled out have been identified as other sources of the infection.

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