UPDATED: FDA reports false positive on Taylor Fresh Foods as source of Cyclospora outbreak 

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story implied Taylor Farms was cleared from the outbreak investigation, but it remains under investigation as of July 20, 2026.

On July 19, 2026, the Food and Drug Administration said the iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico that was linked to the Cyclospora outbreak was a false positive. 

FDA says that as of July 19, “there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for Cyclospora. 

“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,” FDA said.  

Information about the sample has been removed from the July 18, 2026 update.

Taylor Farms de Mexico remains under investigation as the source of the outbreak linked to Taco Bell, according to Taylor Farms.

The CDC, FDA, and state health authorities linked the Cyclospora outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell in five states: Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.  

On July 17, FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single supplier of iceberg lettuce from Mexico to these Taco Bell locations, but it did not name the supplier. Media reports identified Taylor Farms as the supplier. 

On July 19, Taylor Fresh Foods BB #:193361 released this statement: 

“Today, FDA apologized to us. 

“Yesterday, FDA informed Taylor Fresh Foods that one of its iceberg lettuce products from central Mexico tested positive for cyclospora. Today, we were informed that FDA made a mistake, and this was a false positive. To be clear, at this moment, FDA has not identified a single positive product test result for Cyclospora. 

“Based on initial information provided by health officials, in an abundance of caution, we completed a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico. Recalled product was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico. 

“All other Taylor Farms products, including all Taylor Farms brand products available for purchase, are not involved in the recall. 

“Our thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill in this outbreak. We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues.” 

On July 17, Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico, voluntarily removed all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. 

The company also said no Taylor Farms branded salads or kits are associated with this outbreak, and no Taylor Farms branded salad kits contain iceberg lettuce. 

On July 17, Taylor Farms said it has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified customers, and continues to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities. 

The shredded iceberg product was distributed June 29th thru July 16th in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI. 

A complete list of affected products, lot codes, and use-by dates is available here: Taylor Fresh Foods Statement Regarding Cyclospora Outbreak – Taylor Farms 

As of July 18, CDC says it continues to investigate the outbreak, and it lists more than 1,644 people sickened, and 94 hospitalizations with no deaths. 

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services says the number of people sickened in the outbreak is 5,002, with 102 hospitalizations. 

The CDC says it is also investigating other outbreaks and illnesses of cyclosporiasis nationally that are unrelated to this outbreak.