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FDA Declares False Positive in Taylor Farms Lettuce Test, but Outbreak Investigation Continues
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that a laboratory sample of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce initially reported as positive for the parasite Cyclospora was a false positive.
Despite the testing correction and an apology issued by the FDA to the produce supplier, the company's widespread 27-state voluntary recall remains in place, as federal health officials maintain that epidemiological evidence still links the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico.
What Caused the False Positive?
According to federal officials, detecting Cyclospora—a microscopic, single-celled parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal illness—is notoriously complex compared to bacterial testing. The FDA uses Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing to screen imported produce rapidly by repeatedly amplifying DNA sequences.
Upon re-reviewing the sample, laboratory experts concluded that the initial signal was the result of technical noise rather than true DNA amplification.
"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," the FDA stated.
As a result, health agencies currently have no confirmed positive lab samples for product tied directly to the ongoing outbreak.
