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Test that found source of US explosive diarrhoea outbreak was false positive, health officials say

July 20, 2026

US health officials announced that a test sample of iceberg lettuce from food supplier Taylor Farms, which initially appeared to link the product to a widespread cyclospora parasite outbreak, was actually a false positive result. The FDA retracted its Saturday report after re-examining the laboratory findings, acknowledging the complexity of detecting this particular parasite. Meanwhile, the outbreak has sickened thousands of Americans across multiple states and hospitalized at least 94 people, though no fatalities have occurred.

Who is affected

  • Thousands of people infected with cyclospora across at least five US states (Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia)
  • At least 94 people who have been hospitalized
  • Taylor Farms (food supplier facing product removal and investigation)
  • Taco Bell restaurant chain locations in multiple states
  • Walmart stores selling Marketside-branded iceberg lettuce in 15 states
  • Customers in 27 states where the lettuce was recalled

What action is being taken

  • The FDA is working with Taylor Farms to ensure implicated products are removed from the market
  • The FDA is conducting targeted surveillance of imports as part of its outbreak investigation
  • Taylor Farms has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot and suspended distribution of iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico
  • Taylor Farms is notifying its customers
  • Taco Bell has completed removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants
  • Taylor Farms is working with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities

Why it matters

  • This outbreak is significant because it has affected thousands of people across multiple states, causing severe gastrointestinal illness requiring hospitalization for nearly 100 individuals. The false positive test result is particularly concerning because it demonstrates the difficulty in identifying foodborne parasite sources, leaving the actual cause of the outbreak still unknown and potentially allowing contaminated products to remain in circulation. The widespread nature of the outbreak across major food chains and retail outlets shows how quickly contaminated products can reach consumers through modern food distribution systems.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC

Test that found source of US explosive diarrhoea outbreak was false positive, health officials say