Taco Bell holds the lettuce in some states, citing cyclospora risk
Taco Bell has narrowed down its focus on ingredients linked to an ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands of people nationwide. The suspected culprit: lettuce.
The fast-food chain said July 16 it had removed lettuce from one of its suppliers in select states after reports linked the ingredient to the growing cases of the stomach-churning parasitic infection that causes diarrhea and nausea across several states.
"Based on ongoing conversations with public health officials, and out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states," the company said in a statement.
The lettuce supplied by the vendor would be "indefinitely removed" from its supply chain nationwide and replaced within 24 hours in affected states, according to Taco Bell. The company did not identify the supplier or specify which states were affected by the removal.
Taco Bell on Wednesday, July 15, said it had removed ingredients from some stores in what the fast food chain said was a precautionary move.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and several states have been investigating the escalating cases of cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. Infection can cause frequent, watery diarrhea or explosive bowel movements, nausea, cramps, bloating and low-grade fever.
The outbreak has especially hit Michigan hard. The state health department there on Thursday, July 16, reported 4,312 cases statewide of the fast-moving gastrointestinal illness. At least 102 people in the state have been hospitalized since June 22, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Infections have escalated in 34 states as well.
Earlier in the week, health officials in Michigan said lettuce could be a possible source but weren't yet ruling out other items.
Taco Bell's statement hinted that it wouldn't be the last restaurant to make a lettuce move.
"While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests," read the company statement. "Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same."
Contributing: Melina Khan, Sara Moniuszko, and Kristen Jordan Shamus, USA TODAY; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Taco Bell holds the lettuce in some states, citing cyclospora risk
Reporting by Mike Snider and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published July 16, 2026 at 9:19 PM.