FDA Stands by Taylor Farms as Cyclospora Outbreak Origin, Denies Apology

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains its position that the cyclospora parasite outbreak affecting the nation originated at Taylor Farms in Mexico. The agency stated on Monday that it did not issue an apology to the company, which had claimed the FDA provided a "mea culpa" following a false positive test result for the parasite.

The FDA confirmed that it informed Taylor Farms of the false positive results but emphasized that these do not change the basis of its ongoing outbreak investigation. Regulators indicated that investigative methods continue to point toward the Mexican produce supplier as the most likely source of the widespread outbreak. The agency also noted that Taylor Farms is still proceeding with recalls of potentially contaminated lettuce sold in U.S. grocery stores and Taco Bell restaurants.

Cyclospora is a parasite, distinguishing it from bacteria, which can make laboratory detection more challenging. The FDA asserted that other investigative techniques remain sound and support their findings regarding the outbreak's origin.