Taylor Farms lettuce sample that tested positive for cyclospora was a false positive, FDA says - CBS News

What the report says

CBS News reported that the Food and Drug Administration said Sunday a Taylor Farms lettuce sample that had initially tested positive for cyclospora was later determined to be a false positive. The agency said it had no confirmed positive product test results for Cyclospora as of Sunday, but clarified Monday that the lab development did not alter its ongoing investigation. FDA said its evidence still points toward shredded iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms sites in central Mexico, citing epidemiological and traceback data supporting the company’s voluntary recall.

Taylor Farms said Friday it was removing iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after the product was linked to a large U.S. cyclosporiasis outbreak. The company said FDA traceback had indicated a specific independent farm that accounts for less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply, but that Taylor Farms had pulled iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely. Taylor Farms said Sunday it was continuing to work with public health authorities.

The CDC identified lettuce supplied to certain Taco Bell restaurants as a source of the multistate outbreak. CBS reported the lettuce went to Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, and Taco Bell said it had removed affected Taylor Farms lettuce. Walmart also removed several Marketside bagged iceberg lettuce salad products in more than two dozen states, while saying it had no indication its products were affected by the investigation.

CBS reported the outbreak was first reported in May and, according to CDC figures, had sickened more than 1,600 people across 34 states, with no deaths reported. Cyclosporiasis is caused by a parasite and is commonly associated with contaminated food or water.