Topline
The Food and Drug Administration issued an apology on Sunday night, saying the test results that linked the growing cyclosporiasis outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms were a “false positive,” and the agency has not yet identified any product as the source of the parasite-borne illness outbreak.
Taylor Farms sign is displayed at one of their facilities in Salinas, California.
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Key Facts
In an emailed statement shared with Forbes, Taylor Farms said it had received an apology from the FDA, noting that its iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico were mistakenly identified as positive for cyclospora. Mexico.”
The company noted that it had acted on the initial information provided by health officials and carried out a “voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central
Taylor Farms said that all its other products are not part of the recall and remain available for purchase.
The company’s statement didn’t mention whether it plans to resume selling iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after the FDA’s false positive finding.
What Do We Know About The Lettuce Recall?
Taylor Farms announced the recall of all batches of iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico on Friday. In an update on Saturday, the FDA said a “sample of shredded iceberg lettuce” supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico had tested positive for cyclospora. The agency said the sample had been collected during “targeted import surveillance” as a result of the cyclosporiasis outbreak. The lot, which initially tested positive, was not part of Taylor Farms’ recall and the company was trying to ascertain if the affected lot was available for sale or purchased by consumers. With the FDA now reporting a false positive its unclear if the affected lot will be recalled or removed from retail.
This is a developing story.