Federal health officials say a lettuce sample connected to supplier Taylor Farms produced a false positive for cyclospora, the parasite linked to a multi-state outbreak. The update was released Sunday as authorities continue reviewing recalled products tied to the investigation.
The finding means the tested lettuce sample did not provide confirmed evidence of cyclospora, even though the supplier had recalled products during the outbreak response. The FDA’s statement adds a new layer to the ongoing effort to determine the source of illnesses and assess which items may be involved.
Foodborne illness investigations can shift as lab results are reviewed and retested, especially when regulators are tracing products across multiple locations. In this case, the agency indicated that the lettuce result initially appeared to detect the parasite but was later determined to be inaccurate.
The development does not erase the broader outbreak investigation, but it does narrow what officials can say about that particular sample. Regulators are expected to keep examining available evidence as they work to better understand the cyclospora outbreak and the recalled products associated with it.
