The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on July 19 that a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms previously reported as positive for the cyclospora parasite, which has caused explosive diarrhea in thousands of people in five states since May, was discovered to be a false positive after laboratory review.
“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 agency said.
As of July 19, there were no confirmed positive sample results for cyclospora, the FDA added. The agency had said the day before that a sample of shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms tested positive for the parasitic illness.
The FDA said it has “notified Taylor Farms and continues working with the firm to ensure product implicated in this outbreak has been removed from the market.”
Taylor Farms had earlier confirmed that the product was not part of its current recall, according to the FDA.
Cyclosporiasis, which has been linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, has so far resulted in more than 100 hospitalizations and no deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state of Michigan alone has reported more than 5,000 cases as of July 17.
The infection can cause frequent, watery diarrhea or explosive bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating and low-grade fever.
Taco Bell, Walmart pull lettuce
Lettuce provided by California-based Taylor Farms and served at Taco Bell restaurants in five states – Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia – had been linked to the ongoing outbreak of the stomach-churning parasitic infection, federal agencies said on July 16.
Taco Bell’s parent company Yum! Brands said it has removed all lettuce supplied from Taylor Farms from its restaurants.
Walmart stores in 27 states, including Florida, are removing bags of Marketside Bagged Iceberg Salad and Shredded Iceberg Salads supplied by Taylor Farms, the company said in a statement to USA TODAY.
So far, there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with the products, according to Walmart. “The health and safety of our customers is a top priority,” the company’s statement read. “Although there is no indication that products sold in our stores are affected by the current Cyclospora investigations, we have removed four bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from select locations as a precaution after receiving notice from our supplier.”
The Taylor Farms recalls at Walmart include:
Sysco, the nation’s largest food distributor, said on Friday that it had removed and halted all sales and distribution of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce from Mexico at the supplier’s request, Reuters reported.
It is likely more restaurants and retailers received potentially tainted lettuce. Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico, which is a subsidiary of the Salinas, California-headquartered company, listed 27 states – the same list as on Walmart’s removal notice – that received central Mexico-sourced iceberg lettuce, shredded lettuce, salad mixes and other products in a July 17 update on the Food and Drug Administration website.
Is there a cyclosporiasis outbreak in Florida?
The true number of sick people in this multistate outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, the CDC said.
The Florida Department of Health has reported 96 cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, but they have not yet been linked to the current outbreak.
Cyclosporiasis infection is not uncommon in Florida; the state saw 210 cases of cyclosporiasis last year and 222 cases in 2024, data shows.
Florida has reported an average of 246 cases of cyclosporiasis every year from 2015 through 2025, with a notable rise in cases in the last few years. The state reported 543 cases in 2019, and 508 in 2022, according to FDOH data.
What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?
Symptoms of cyclosporiasis may vary, according to the CDC, but watery diarrhea is the most common. Others include:
Some people may also experience vomiting, body aches, headaches, low-grade fever, and other flu-like symptoms. Others may show no symptoms at all.
Symptoms can begin to show from two days to two weeks or more after infection, the CDC said. Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer.
What to do if you have cyclosporiasis symptoms
Minor cases can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter-medication.
However, you should contact your health provider or seek medical attention if diarrhea is prolonged and accompanied by dizziness, inability to keep fluids down or signs of dehydration.
During the illness, avoid foods such as high-sugar beverages, alcohol and excess caffeine, greasy and spicy foods, and dairy products.
What antibiotics treat cyclosporiasis?
Cyclosporiasis is treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which is sold as Bactrim, Septra or Cotrim, according to the CDC.
“If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, talk to your health care provider about other potential options,” the agency adds. “Resting and drinking plenty of fluids is also important for those experiencing diarrhea.”
Reuters contributed to this story.
C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FDA says Taylor Farms cyclospora lettuce test false positive
Reporting by Mike Snider and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Snider and C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
