FDA and Taylor Farms Dispute Apology After False Positive Cyclospora Test
5 verified4 unconfirmed1 contested
Federal health officials and lettuce supplier Taylor Farms are at odds over the handling of a multistate outbreak of the cyclospora parasite. Taylor Farms issued a recall of shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico after people were sickened with cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness that causes diarrhea. The Food and Drug Administration initially announced that a sample of the company’s lettuce tested positive for the parasite, but later said the result was a false positive. Taylor Farms posted on social media that the FDA had apologized, a claim the agency denied. The FDA stated that the recall remains in effect and that epidemiological evidence still points to Taylor Farms lettuce as the source of the outbreak. The investigation continues as health officials work to contain cases that have sickened hundreds of people across multiple states.
What’s verified
Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico due to a cyclospora outbreak.
The FDA initially reported a positive test for cyclospora on a Taylor Farms lettuce sample that was not part of the recall, then later said the result was a false positive.
Taylor Farms posted on social media that the FDA apologized to the company, but the FDA denied offering an official apology.
The FDA confirmed that the recall still stands and that the false positive does not change the basis of the outbreak investigation.
Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that causes intestinal illness marked by frequent and explosive bowel movements.
Where accounts differ
The sources disagree on the date of the recall: one source says July 17, while the other says July 18. They also give conflicting case numbers: one source reports that Michigan alone has counted 6,148 cases since May, while the other reports a nationwide total of 1,645 cases and 141 hospitalizations for 2026.
Not yet confirmed
One source reports that Taylor Farms executives met with White House and FDA officials on July 16 to discuss what they called “shortfalls” in the response.
One source provides foot-traffic data showing declines at Taco Bell (18.9%), Chopt (14.3%), Chipotle (7%), Panera Bread (7%), and Cava (4.2%) after the outbreak was publicized.
One source identifies FDA Acting Food Chief Donald Prater and Acting Commissioner Kyle Diamantas as officials involved in the investigation.
Questions remain about the total number of cases nationwide and whether any positive product tests for cyclospora have been identified.
Key figures
Taylor Farms (lettuce supplier), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Donald Prater, Kyle Diamantas
Sources: Wired, statnews.com
