Some restaurants see fewer customers during US cyclospora outbreak

Key Points:

• Lettuce prices surged in early 2026 due to hot weather in Arizona, impacting supply and causing a nearly 20% price increase for iceberg lettuce by mid-year, with overall fresh lettuce prices rising 33% compared to the previous year.
• A cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell has sickened thousands, leading to a 2% decline in Taco Bell’s same-store sales in July-September, down from a 7% increase in the prior quarter.
• Taco Bell removed the implicated lettuce from its restaurants and saw sales begin to recover after the outbreak, aided by clear communication and promotional specials, while other chains like Chipotle and salad-focused brands Chopt and Sweetgreen have also experienced reduced customer traffic.
• The FDA continues to investigate the outbreak as cases grow, with a new cluster involving 72 people recently identified, highlighting the complexity of the contamination and ongoing food safety concerns related to lettuce.
• Additional factors such as increased fuel costs and supply chain challenges due to geopolitical events have exacerbated the cost and distribution difficulties for lettuce, a highly perishable product requiring consistent cooling during transport.