Disease fears cut lettuce sales: U.S. diners also avoiding some restaurant chains

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

A multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak traced to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in Mexico served at Taco Bell has caused over 6,700 confirmed infections and led to declines in lettuce sales and restaurant visits nationwide. Despite removal of the implicated lettuce, cases continue rising, prompting ongoing FDA investigations into additional contamination sources and shifting consumer behavior toward greens.

A multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis has led U.S. consumers to reduce purchases of lettuce and avoid certain restaurant chains, industry sources and foot traffic data indicate. The outbreak, linked by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants and sourced from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, has continued to grow notwithstanding the removal of potentially affected products.

As of late July, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 6,700 laboratory-confirmed cases and identified over 11,500 additional suspected infections nationwide. Michigan has been particularly affected, with state health officials documenting 9,680 confirmed cases as of July 28, an increase of 427 from the previous day. The disease, caused by the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, results in symptoms including severe, watery diarrhea.

Despite Taylor Farms’ withdrawal of the implicated lettuce from the market and Taco Bell’s reported removal of the product from its restaurants as of July 17, cases have continued to rise. This sustained increase has intensified consumer uncertainty and concern about other potential sources of infection. Health authorities in North Carolina have highlighted parsley and cilantro as commonly reported ingredients among affected individuals, acknowledging the possibility of multiple exposure routes.

The outbreak has had a measurable impact on consumer behavior. Foot traffic data from analytics firm Placer.ai shows a significant decline at Taco Bell locations since July 13, with a 20.8% drop recorded on July 23 compared to the average daily visits from January through early July. Other chains with menus emphasizing greens, such as Chopt, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Panera Bread, reported traffic decreases of 12.2%, 1.4%, and 3.1%, respectively, on the same date. Chipotle declined to comment on the traffic figures, while Taco Bell, Chopt, and Panera Bread had not responded to requests for comment.

Retail sales reflect a similar trend. NielsenIQ data indicates that fresh lettuce unit sales fell 9% during the week ending July 18 compared to the previous week and declined 19% from two weeks earlier. Paul Sellew, CEO of Little Leaf Farms—an Eastern U.S.-based lettuce grower—attributed the drop to consumer fear. The company has sought to reassure customers by emphasizing its production practices, which it says minimize contamination risks.

Public health experts caution that while consumers should exercise caution, leafy greens remain an important source of nutrition. Dr. Tyler Evans, CEO of the Wellness Equity Alliance and a former New York City chief medical officer, emphasized that avoidance is not necessary for healthy adults outside of particularly affected regions such as Michigan.

The FDA and other health officials continue to investigate additional potential sources of Cyclospora contamination. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb noted that some major retailers and restaurant chains have ceased sourcing produce from the implicated area in central Mexico amid concerns about widespread contamination. Authorities urge consumers to remain vigilant and follow guidance on food safety as investigations proceed.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.