---
title: "Taco Bell pulls some produce as a parasite outbreak grows across 35 states"
description: "Taco Bell has temporarily pulled lettuce and other fresh items from some restaurants as federal officials investigate a large cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across 35 states. The chain says health authorities have not linked any illnesses to its food."
category: "Business"
category_url: https://herald.la/category/business
author: "Gabriela Soto"
published: 2026-07-14T23:08:00.000Z
updated: 2026-07-14T23:08:00.000Z
canonical: https://herald.la/article/taco-bell-pulls-some-produce-as-a-parasite-outbreak-grows-across-35-states
tags: ["food safety", "taco bell", "cyclosporiasis", "cdc", "public health"]
---
# Taco Bell pulls some produce as a parasite outbreak grows across 35 states

Taco Bell has temporarily pulled lettuce and other fresh items from some restaurants as federal officials investigate a large cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands across 35 states. The chain says health authorities have not linked any illnesses to its food.

Taco Bell has quietly stripped some fresh ingredients from menus at a number of its restaurants, a precaution taken as health investigators try to trace a fast-growing outbreak of a parasitic illness. Signs at affected locations, reported first in Michigan, told customers that items such as lettuce, a cilantro-onion mix, pico de gallo and guacamole were temporarily unavailable, [according to ABC7](https://abc7.com/post/lettuce-salad-greens-could-source-cyclosporiasis-illnesses-michigan-health-officials-say/19507161/).

## A big, and growing, outbreak

The illness is cyclosporiasis, caused by a microscopic parasite spread through contaminated food or water. Since the start of May, [the CDC has counted 1,645 confirmed cases and is reviewing more than 5,100 additional reports](https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html), with 141 people hospitalized and no deaths, across 35 states. That is far above the roughly 250 cases the agency had logged by the same point a year ago.

The outbreak has hit the Midwest hardest. [Michigan, its epicenter, has reported more than 2,600 cases](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/13/health/cyclospora-parasite-diarrhea-outbreak-increase), and the CDC has flagged a cluster of infections spanning Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky.

## Lettuce is a suspect, not a conclusion

Investigators have not pinned down a source. [Michigan officials have pointed to lettuce or salad greens as a leading suspect](https://abc7.com/post/lettuce-salad-greens-could-source-cyclosporiasis-illnesses-michigan-health-officials-say/19507161/), and the CDC has suggested consumers consider buying whole heads of lettuce rather than pre-washed bagged greens or salad kits while the traceback continues. But no single product, supplier or restaurant has been confirmed as the cause, and past cyclosporiasis outbreaks have been traced to a range of imported fresh produce, including basil, cilantro and berries.

Notably, not everyone who fell ill reported eating at Taco Bell, a sign the outbreak is not confined to one chain.

## What Taco Bell says

Taco Bell, owned by Yum Brands, framed the ingredient removals as voluntary and temporary. The company said that "public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer," and that it acted out of caution. In other words, the chain is not the identified source of the outbreak; it pulled items pre-emptively while investigators work.

## What to know

Cyclosporiasis usually causes watery diarrhea that can be prolonged, often beginning about a week after exposure, along with symptoms such as cramping, nausea, fatigue and loss of appetite. It does not spread person to person. Doctors typically treat it with a specific antibiotic, and staying hydrated is important. Health officials advise thoroughly washing fresh produce, note that cooking kills the parasite, and expect case counts to keep rising for a time as the investigation continues. Anyone with persistent watery diarrhea, particularly after eating fresh produce, is encouraged to seek medical care.

## Sources

- [Lettuce, salad greens could be source of cyclosporiasis illnesses, Michigan health officials say](https://abc7.com/post/lettuce-salad-greens-could-source-cyclosporiasis-illnesses-michigan-health-officials-say/19507161/)
- [Domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases in multiple U.S. states, 2026](https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html)
- [Michigan says diarrhea outbreak may be linked to lettuce as cases rise above 3,000](https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/13/health/cyclospora-parasite-diarrhea-outbreak-increase)