Yiannas Seeks Independent Review After FDA Reverses July 19 Taylor Farms Cyclospora Test
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jul 25
Yiannas Seeks Independent Review After FDA Reverses July 19 Taylor Farms Cyclospora Test
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jul 25
Summary
Frank Yiannas called for an independent review of the government's Cyclospora response after the FDA announced a positive July 19 test on Taylor Farms lettuce, then said final results contradicted it.
Yiannas said the false positive was “extremely rare” and reflected a system pushed to move too fast, urging the FDA to explain how the error happened and how it will prevent a repeat.
FDA says the mistaken test did not alter its investigation or recall and that it still has strong evidence tying certain Taylor Farms lettuce products to the outbreak.
Taylor Farms added to the confusion by saying the FDA had “apologized” for the false positive, a claim the agency later denied, feeding speculation over the reversal.
Yiannas warned the Cyclospora outbreak is nearing a “catastrophic” level and said outside scrutiny could come through Congress, an inspector or an expert panel.