FDA apologizes to Taylor Farms after lettuce test mix-up
Taylor Fresh Foods said the FDA apologized after retesting showed an initial cyclospora finding in iceberg lettuce was a false positive.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has apologized to Taylor Fresh Foods after an initial cyclospora test tied to iceberg lettuce from central Mexico was found to be wrong, the company told Newsweek.
The mix-up landed in the middle of an FDA investigation into a cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
According to the report, FDA retesting of lettuce samples from Taylor Farms de Mexico showed the earlier result was a false positive. Taylor Fresh Foods, which owns Taylor Farms, told Newsweek the agency apologized and said cyclospora was not found in the lettuce.
Taylor Farms also said in an Instagram update that the FDA had changed its web posting to say the initial shredded iceberg lettuce sample should be treated as a false positive. The company said no positive cyclospora tests have been connected to Taylor Farms.
Recall followed the first FDA notice
Taylor Farms said the FDA first told the company that one iceberg lettuce product from central Mexico had a confirmed positive test for cyclospora. After that notice, the company said it carried out a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from central Mexico.
The company said the recalled product was limited to iceberg lettuce grown and processed in central Mexico. Taylor Farms said other Taylor Farms products, including branded products currently on the market, were not part of the recall.
Taylor Farms said it continues to work with the FDA and state partners while the outbreak investigation continues. The company also said its thoughts remain with people who have become ill.
FDA probe focused on Taco Bell lettuce supply
During the investigation, the FDA identified Taylor Farms de Mexico as the single supplier that sold lettuce to Taco Bell restaurants in the five affected states, according to the report.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people to avoid Taco Bell lettuce in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia after illnesses in those states were linked to shredded iceberg lettuce and cyclosporiasis, the report said.
Cyclospora is a parasite associated with gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea. The FDA investigation remains ongoing, and the false positive update does not end the broader public health probe into how people became sick.
Taco Bell has been under scrutiny during the outbreak, with earlier reports saying the chain’s lettuce supply was being examined by federal health officials. Taylor Farms’ latest statement says the FDA has not identified any positive product test result for cyclospora from the company at this time.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.