SALINAS, Calif. — One of the nation's largest fresh produce suppliers found itself at the center of an unusual sequence of events last week after federal regulators prompted a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce, only to later inform the company that the laboratory result triggering the recall was a false positive.
Taylor Farms announced a voluntary recall on Friday of certain iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after being notified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that a sample had tested positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
Just two days later, however, the company said the FDA notified it that the original test result was incorrect.
FDA Reverses Course
In a statement posted Sunday on social media, Taylor Farms said the agency informed the company that the initial laboratory finding had been erroneous.
According to the company, the FDA first advised that one of its iceberg lettuce products from central Mexico had tested positive for Cyclospora. The following day, Taylor Farms said regulators acknowledged the result was a false positive.
The company further stated that, as of that time, the FDA had not identified any confirmed positive product tests for Cyclospora in its lettuce and emphasized that the recall had been initiated out of caution after receiving the original notification.
Cyclospora Outbreak Still Under Investigation
Although the recalled product was cleared by the revised testing results, federal investigators continue examining a broader multistate Cyclospora outbreak.
Cyclospora is a parasite that infects the small intestine and typically causes:
Severe watery diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Fatigue
Abdominal cramping
Weight loss
Symptoms that can last for weeks if left untreated
The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with human fecal matter and has historically been associated with imported fresh produce, including leafy greens, cilantro, basil, raspberries, and salad mixes.
Unlike many bacterial foodborne illnesses, Cyclospora infections generally cannot be spread directly from person to person because the parasite requires time outside the human body before becoming infectious.
Restaurants Also Investigated
Federal investigators have linked several illnesses in the current outbreak to restaurant locations, including Taco Bell, whose restaurants received iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.
Health officials continue tracing the source of contamination to determine whether another produce supplier, growing region, or point in the supply chain may ultimately be responsible.
As of the FDA's updated notice, investigators had not publicly identified a confirmed contaminated Taylor Farms product.
Questions About Testing
The reversal has also raised questions about food safety testing procedures.
False-positive laboratory results are uncommon but can occur because of sample contamination, laboratory handling issues, or testing methodology. Public health agencies generally err on the side of caution, recommending recalls whenever there is evidence that contaminated food may have entered commerce.
That precautionary approach can help prevent illness but also carries significant financial consequences for growers, distributors, restaurants, and retailers when recalls later prove unnecessary.
The FDA has not publicly released detailed information explaining how the false positive occurred or what specific laboratory error led to the reversal.
Political Attention
The timing of the events has drawn attention because of Taylor Farms' political activity.
Federal campaign finance records show Taylor Farms donated $1 million to the pro-Trump super PAC MAGA Inc. in 2025.
Company executives and affiliated entities have also contributed to campaigns supporting President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, numerous Republican candidates, and some Democratic candidates over the years.
Taylor Farms also recently expanded its federal government affairs operation by hiring former White House official Trent Morse, a move viewed as part of a broader effort to strengthen its presence in Washington on agricultural, labor, and food policy issues.
There is no public evidence that the company's political donations or lobbying activities influenced the FDA's testing, recall decision, or subsequent correction. The FDA has not suggested any connection between those activities and the laboratory error.
What Happens Next?
The FDA's investigation into the nationwide Cyclospora outbreak remains ongoing. Investigators continue working to determine the actual source of contamination responsible for reported illnesses.
For consumers, the incident serves as a reminder that food recalls are often precautionary actions based on preliminary evidence and that investigations can evolve as additional laboratory testing and epidemiological data become available.
While Taylor Farms says the recalled iceberg lettuce has now been cleared following the FDA's correction, health officials continue urging anyone experiencing prolonged diarrhea after eating fresh produce to seek medical evaluation, as Cyclospora infections typically require prescription treatment rather than resolving quickly on their own.
