A recent cyclospora outbreak has affected Taco Bell, leading to a removal of lettuce from their menu. This decision has resulted in a decline in customer traffic, with sales down about 2% so far this quarter. The decline in sales was most notable around the weekend of July 18.

The cause of the outbreak is still unclear, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially linked it to contaminated lettuce but later retracted this statement due to a false positive result. Further details on the outbreak and its impact on Taco Bell are available from the company and the CDC. The company has stated that consumer safety is their top priority.