Overview
- More than 1,900 people across nine states have been sickened and nearly 100 hospitalized in the multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak, according to CDC reports.
- Federal patient interviews and supply-chain tracebacks tied shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico to illnesses, and Taco Bell removed the implicated lettuce on July 17 while Taylor Farms initiated a voluntary recall.
- The FDA reclassified an earlier positive lettuce test as a false positive, so investigators have not publicly confirmed a Cyclospora-positive product and continue expanded testing and tracebacks.
- Yum Brands reported April–June earnings of $1.62 adjusted EPS and a 7% same-store sales rise at Taco Bell, but executives said the outbreak caused a meaningful near-term sales hit that peaked over the July 18 weekend and has since shown steady improvement.
- Taco Bell has promoted lettuce-free deals to win back customers, foot traffic fell sharply in mid-July, and the scare has also reduced visits to salad chains and pushed up lettuce prices, a dynamic that may extend pressure on suppliers and restaurants.