The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Taylor Farms, a California-based lettuce supplier, are engaged in a public disagreement over whether the agency issued an apology following a false positive test for the cyclospora parasite. The dispute comes amid a widespread outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has sickened thousands across multiple states.
The Recall and False Positive Test
On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce sourced from Central Mexico after people in at least five states were sickened with cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes explosive diarrhea. The next day, the FDA announced it had detected the parasite in a sample of Taylor Farms lettuce that was not part of the initial recall. However, on July 19, both the company and the FDA confirmed that the test result was a false positive.
The Apology Controversy
On July 19, Taylor Farms posted on its X account: "Today, the FDA apologized to us." The FDA disputed this characterisation. On July 20, an agency official told reporters that it did not offer an "official apology." Instead, the official stated that "mostly we were providing factual information" about the difficulties of testing for and tracing cyclospora outbreaks, according to WIRED.
Recall Still in Effect
The FDA emphasised that the recall—which spans 27 states and includes certain lettuce sold to Taco Bell and Walmart—remains in force. In a post on X, the agency wrote: "To clarify, this false-positive lab sample DOES NOT change the basis for FDA’s ongoing outbreak investigation or the overwhelming epidemiological data supporting the current voluntary recall by Taylor Farms."
Taylor Farms' Response and Meeting with Officials
Taylor Farms has reportedly taken issue with how the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted their investigation. A spokesperson told The New York Times that the company met with White House and FDA officials on July 16, the day before the recall, to discuss what it called "shortfalls" in the government agencies' response processes. The Times reported that Taylor Farms executives attempted to cast doubt on the FDA and CDC's conclusions during that meeting.
Outbreak Scale
Since May 2026, thousands of people have been sickened with cyclosporiasis. Authorities in Michigan alone have counted 6,148 cases. Experts previously told WIRED that the actual number of cases nationwide is likely higher than reported. The FDA and CDC have relied on epidemiological evidence, such as interviews with infected individuals, to trace the outbreak, as no positive product test results have been identified.
Compliance Implications
For trade compliance professionals and food safety regulators, this incident highlights the challenges of product testing and outbreak investigation. Companies in the fresh produce supply chain should review their recall procedures and communication protocols with regulatory agencies. The FDA's insistence that the recall stands, despite a false positive, underscores that epidemiological data can be sufficient to support regulatory action even in the absence of positive lab results from products.
Key Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2026 | Cyclospora outbreak begins; thousands sickened |
| July 16 | Taylor Farms meets with White House and FDA officials |
| July 17 | Taylor Farms issues voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico |
| July 18 | FDA announces detection of cyclospora in a lettuce sample not part of the initial recall |
| July 19 | FDA and Taylor Farms confirm false positive; Taylor Farms claims FDA apologised |
| July 20 | FDA denies offering an apology; says it provided factual information instead |
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