FDA still focused on lettuce supplier as source of parasite, despite faulty test result

WASHINGTON (AP/WBCL) — Federal health officials have remained focused on lettuce from Taylor Farms as the source of a multistate outbreak despite inaccurate test results reported over the weekend. Food and Drug Administration officials on Monday briefed reporters on how the government erroneously reported a direct link between a sample of lettuce from Taylor Farms and the parasite that causes severe diarrhea. Officials said the false positive result came from a rapid, molecular test used to screen incoming lettuce from Mexico at the border. While the FDA reported the link Saturday, officials said a subsequent quality check found the result was a false positive. As of Monday, July 20th locally, Michigan has 6,148 cyclosporiasis cases, northwest Ohio has 2,029, and Indiana has 427.