The FDA announced that it had misidentified a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico as positive for Cyclospora. After a re-review, the agency said the result was a false positive and removed the finding from its July 18 update. As of July 19, there are no confirmed positive product test results for Cyclospora in the ongoing outbreak, the FDA stated.
Taylor Farms issued a statement saying the FDA had apologized. The company had voluntarily recalled iceberg lettuce from central Mexico after the initial positive result, acting out of caution. The recall covers only iceberg lettuce grown and processed in that region, and no other Taylor Farms products are involved.
The recall was tied to an investigation that identified lettuce served at Taco Bell as the source of a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
Taylor Farms initiated the recall on July 17.
Related: User account access restricted unexpectedly
What Cyclospora Does and How to Spot It
The incubation period for cyclosporiasis can vary from person to person.
Symptoms typically appear about one week after infection but can emerge anywhere from two days to more than two weeks later. Unlike many viral stomach bugs that clear up in a day or two, cyclosporiasis often causes prolonged watery diarrhea that may return after initially improving.
A false positive result like this one, while later corrected, still triggered a costly recall. It shows how quickly food safety decisions must be made, even when detection is tricky — the FDA noted the complexity of detecting Cyclospora in the first place.
The episode is a reminder of the real-world consequences of imperfect lab tools.
Related: User access denied after system block
Dr. Catherine O’Neal, chief academic officer for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, advised consumers to call a doctor if diarrhea sticks around or relapses. “Most diarrheal illnesses come and go. They leave us feeling a little weak, but we get over them and we go back to work. If yours is just sticking around, you need to call your doctor,” she said.
She also noted that fever and vomiting are uncommon with Cyclospora infection.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Practical Advice
Diagnosis requires a specific test that detects Cyclospora, because routine stool parasite testing may miss it. If confirmed, treatment typically involves the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, often used for traveler’s diarrhea. Hydration remains critical for both outpatient and hospitalized patients, with the latter monitored more closely.
O’Neal also urged caution with fresh produce. “The problem with bagged lettuce is that it says that it’s washed, but you cannot right now ensure that it is…So buy heads of lettuce if you can. If you’re buying lettuce, make sure you wash it well,” she said.