FDA retracts cyclospora contamination finding in Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce, calling it a “false positive.”
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Sunday the positive testing of cyclospora in Taylor Farms de Mexico lettuce has been retested and should be “considered a false positive” on Sunday.
“FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification,” the organization said in a press release Sunday.
Due to the updated testing results, there are no confirmed positive sample results for product testing for cyclospora.
Iceberg lettuce was voluntarily recalled by Taylor Farms in 27 states in response to the testing. Lettuce was also pulled from various fast food restaurants like Taco Bell.
No other information is known at this time.
What we know about the Cyclospora outbreak
More than 1,644 illnesses have been associated with that outbreak across at least five states as of Sunday, July 19, according to the CDC. Among them, 94 people were hospitalized from the illness which notably features explosive diarrhea as a signature symptom.
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. The illness is typically spread through food or water contaminated with human feces and has repeatedly been linked to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Unlike many foodborne bacteria, the parasite is resistant to chlorine and many common sanitizing treatments, making prevention more challenging.