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Federal health officials said Sunday that a lettuce sample from Taylor Farms previously believed to contain the parasite responsible for a multistate cyclospora outbreak was a false positive, easing concerns about one of the nation’s largest recent foodborne illness investigations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said laboratory experts reexamined the sample after its initial analysis and determined the result did not represent a true detection of Cyclospora.
“Due to the complexity in detection of Cyclospora, FDA laboratory experts re-reviewed the sample results and have concluded that the finding does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive,” the agency said in a statement.
The FDA added that it has not identified any confirmed positive product samples during its ongoing testing.
The announcement came two days after Taylor Farms voluntarily removed iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after federal investigators linked the product to the outbreak through traceback analysis.
Taylor Farms said Friday that the implicated farm represented less than 1% of the U.S. iceberg lettuce supply but that the company had indefinitely suspended sourcing iceberg lettuce from the region as a precaution.
Following Sunday’s FDA announcement, the company reiterated its cooperation with investigators.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone who has fallen ill in this outbreak,” Taylor Farms said. “We are committed to working with public health authorities as the ongoing outbreak investigation continues.”
Although no contaminated product has been confirmed through laboratory testing, investigators continue to trace the source of the outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that iceberg lettuce supplied to certain Taco Bell restaurants was linked to illnesses reported in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia.
Taco Bell said it has completed removing the affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants.
Walmart also announced it voluntarily removed four Marketside bagged iceberg lettuce salad products from stores across more than two dozen states. The retailer said there is no indication the recalled products have been connected to the current cyclospora investigation.
The outbreak was first identified in May and has spread across 34 states. The CDC has confirmed more than 1,600 cases and 141 hospitalizations, though state health departments have reported substantially higher figures while investigations continue.
Michigan alone has reported more than 5,000 confirmed cases, according to state health officials.
No deaths have been reported.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, which spreads through contaminated food or water. Symptoms typically include prolonged watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue and weight loss. The illness is treatable with antibiotics but can last weeks without medical treatment.
Health officials continue urging consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly and seek medical care if they experience persistent diarrhea or other symptoms consistent with cyclospora infection.
