Between Prices and a Diarrhea-Causing Parasite, Lettuce Is Causing Hard Times at some Restaurants
Taco Bell’s U.S. same-store sales fell 2% as the outbreak cut customer traffic and pushed the chain to remove shredded lettuce from stores.
- Grundy County Schools and Marion County Schools are temporarily removing fresh lettuce from student meals during the first month of school as a precaution against the ongoing Cyclospora outbreak.
- An ongoing 2026 outbreak of cyclosporiasis has sickened more than 11,500 people across the United States, with Federal health officials linking the illness to shredded iceberg lettuce served at restaurants.
- Market research shows significant restaurant impacts: Taco Bell visits dropped 21% and Chopt foot traffic fell 12% as of July 23, while 40% of consumers reduced fresh produce buying.
- Rhea County Schools, however, does not plan to remove fresh lettuce, while other Tennessee Valley districts continue monitoring the situation throughout August before determining when items can return to menus.
- Experts recommend consumers opt for whole heads of lettuce and rinse them thoroughly at home, as buying locally grown produce helps reduce exposure risks during the outbreak.
123 Articles
123 Articles
Prices, cyclospora outbreak has lettuce lovers running for answers
Lettuce prices rose sharply in the first half of 2026. Now, restaurants are dealing with the fallout from a cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce that has sickened thousands of Americans.
PBS NewsHour
BizTocWhy lettuce is causing hard times at some restaurants
It’s been a choppy year for restaurants that lean into lettuce.
From price spikes to a cyclospora outbreak: Lettuce is hitting some restaurants hard
It’s been a choppy year for restaurants that lean into lettuce. Lettuce prices rose sharply in the first half of 2026 due to hot weather in Arizona, where about one-third of America’s lettuce is grown. Now, restaurants are dealing with the fallout from a cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce that has sickened thousands of Americans. Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, said Thursday that Taco Bell’s U.S. same-store sales are dow…
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