Taco Bell has voluntarily removed specific ingredients, such as lettuce and cilantro, from select restaurants. This precautionary measure comes as public health officials investigate a widespread outbreak of Cyclospora, a foodborne parasite causing diarrheal illness. Authorities have not yet confirmed a direct link between Taco Bell or any particular ingredient, supplier, or restaurant to the outbreak.
The Cyclospora outbreak has been increasing, with 2026 already marking the worst year for reported cases. As of July 15, there were 1,645 confirmed cases in the U.S. and an additional 5,100 cases requiring further analysis, according to the CDC. Michigan has emerged as a significant epicenter, with about 3,762 suspected cases. While no specific grower or supplier has been identified, early investigations suggest lettuce or salad greens as a potential source.
Taco Bell's decision to pull ingredients is more aggressive than current federal recommendations. The company stated that the health and safety of its guests is its top priority. Other restaurants, like Chipotle, are monitoring the situation; Chipotle's shares dropped nearly 5% on July 15 despite not being directly linked to the outbreak. The scale of this cyclosporiasis epidemic dwarfs other recent foodborne outbreaks, such as the 2024 McDonald's E. coli outbreak, which sickened 104 people.
