local
FDA says Taylor Farms cyclospora finding was a false positive, investigation continues
Summary by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Alexis Garcia , NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· July 19, 2026
· 3 min read
A sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms that initially tested positive for cyclospora, the parasite linked to a growing “explosive diarrhea” outbreak, was later determined to be a false positive, the Food and Drug Administration said on Sunday.
The FDA said laboratory experts re-reviewed the tes...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Los Angeles Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Alexis Garcia, NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 19, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway The FDA said laboratory experts re-reviewed the test results and concluded the finding “does not represent true amplification and should be considered a false positive.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The false positive finding of cyclospora in Taylor Farms lettuce may bring some relief to local consumers, but the ongoing investigation and voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce products sourced from central Mexico remain a concern for Los Angeles residents. As a major supplier to grocery chains and restaurants, including Taco Bell, Taylor Farms' products are likely widely available in the Los Angeles area. The recall of 25 shredded lettuce and salad mix products sold under eight different brand codes affects multiple states, including those with significant trade and consumer connections to California. Local health officials and consumers should continue to exercise caution when handling and consuming lettuce products, particularly those sourced from central Mexico, until the source of the cyclosporiasis outbreak is confirmed and resolved. The situation also underscores the importance of robust food safety protocols and testing procedures to protect public health in the Los Angeles community.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 19, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms that initially tested positive for cyclospora, the parasite linked to a growing “explosive diarrhea” outbreak, was later determined to be a false positive, the Food and Drug Administration said on Sunday.
The FDA said laboratory experts re-reviewed the tes...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 19, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alexis Garcia at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter