FDA Clarifies Cyclosporiasis Probe, Still Points to Iceberg Lettuce

The FDA said a test suggesting one shipment of Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce carried cyclospora was a false positive, but the agency said its main outbreak theory has not changed. In a statement Monday, the agency said its investigation still points to shredded iceberg lettuce from central Mexico as the likely source of the multistate illness. Officials are continuing to advise consumers not to eat recalled iceberg lettuce while they work with federal and state partners to trace the outbreak. The confusion comes as health officials investigate more than 1,600 reported illnesses, with some restaurant chains and retailers already removing suspected products from sale. Taylor Farms said it will continue a voluntary recall, Taco Bell has removed the lettuce from affected locations, and Walmart said it pulled several salad kits out of stores as a precaution. Analysts say the outbreak may affect sales in the short term, though they do not expect a lasting impact for the companies involved.