Taco Bell Removes Fresh Produce Items Amid Growing “Explosive Diarrhea” Outbreak
As nationwide Cyclospora outbreak continues, it’s a good moment to rinse produce thoroughly, keep preparation surfaces clean, and remember that “fresh” doesn’t always mean risk-free.
Last week, I reported on a nationwide outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic gut parasite that triggers explosive diarrhea and can be accompanied by severe cramping, nausea, fatigue, and prolonged weeks of illness.
As I noted in that article, given similar events previously recorded, the Cyclospora spread would be likely tied to fruits or vegetables from a national distributor.
Past outbreaks have been traced to imported cilantro from Puebla and bagged greens distributed through major national retail chains. In 2018, McDonald’s salads were linked to over 3oo cases of cyclospora. The current geographic spread is strongly suggestive that we are looking for a nationally distributed food item, most likely fruit or vegetables.
Now, in response, Taco Bell restaurants are pulling fresh ingredients from the menu.
Locations, including some in Metro Detroit, have posted signs telling customers they are temporarily unable to serve several produce items while health officials respond to a spike in cyclosporiasis cases, WWJ reported on Tuesday.
“We are currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro Onion, Pico de Gallo and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall,” the notices say.
“We apologize for the inconvenience. Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them.”
The missing ingredients are staples in several Taco Bell favorites, including tacos, the Crunchwrap Supreme and Cantina Chicken menu items.
Taco Bell locations pull ingredients off menu as 'explosive diarrhea' parasite cases surge https://t.co/twmxz05Hk1 pic.twitter.com/F8qVUBPanh
— New York Post (@nypost) July 9, 2026
It must be noted that this is not a government-mandated “recall.” It is a proactive move by the restaurant chain, which apparently reviewed case histories and made it based on an internal risk assessment.
Taco Bell stated it is working closely with suppliers and health authorities. A company spokesperson said the removals are temporary while the company switches to alternative suppliers to ensure customer safety.
No confirmed cases have been directly tied to Taco Bell locations in official CDC reports so far, but the chain’s proactive step follows broader industry concerns over produce safety. The ingredients are expected to return once new supplies are verified safe.
Despite the temporary removal of several fresh ingredients, Taco Bell is not lowering prices on affected menu items. Customers will still be charged the standard price for burritos, tacos, and bowls even without lettuce, guacamole, or pico de gallo. The company has posted signs apologizing for the inconvenience but has not announced any discounts or price adjustments at this time.
Taco Bell has not announced a specific end date, saying it will depend on supplier verification and health authority guidance.
Meanwhile, the Cyclospora outbreak is continuing. In my last report, I noted that Michigan had logged 150 cases. That number has expanded over the past week to nearly 1000.
Nearly 1,000 people in Michigan have been diagnosed with a parasitic infection that can cause weeks of watery diarrhea, making it the largest such outbreak in state history and one of the nation’s largest in years.
No deaths have been reported and the source of the cyclospora infections hasn’t been identified. Meanwhile, investigations into similar illnesses have been going on in 28 other states, including in Ohio, where people just across the Michigan border are also becoming sick.
Michigan officials first announced the outbreak last week, when they were aware of more than 170 cases — all in the southeastern corner of the state — since June 22. Michigan usually identifies only about 50 cases each year.
On Wednesday, the state reported the number had grown to 992, including about 40 hospitalizations. Just across the state line, Lucas County, Ohio, reported 306 cases as of Wednesday. Northwest Ohio has seen more than 500 cases.
Cases are now cropping up in Kansas City, Mo.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 22 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the state as of Wednesday, July 8.
Health officials note that 16 of those cases were reported in June, with an additional case reported since the start of July.
The first Kansas case of 2026 was reported in April, according to the KDHE. Patients range in age from 20 to 74.
Looking at the current situation, there is strong evidence of a classic produce-linked outbreak, even if officials haven’t identified the source. Taco Bell’s proactive response is clearly prudent, as the food chain would probably like to stay out of the headlines and avoid being the punchline to diarrhea jokes.
In the meantime, it’s a good reminder to rinse produce thoroughly, keep preparation surfaces clean, and remember that “fresh” doesn’t always mean risk-free.
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Comments
Buying produce grown in 3rd world countries is like buying pretty much anything from China. It’ll be cheaper, for sure. But you never know just exactly what is in it, and sometimes it is just plain hazardous to life.
Caveat emptor.
The same thing happened to Chipotle
And if I remember correctly, they never did find the source of the outbreak.
We are buying produce grown in 3rd world countries?
I was told all the illegal immigrants were coming here to grow our produce.
This is what happens when you have 3rd world people crapping in fields then going right back to picking your vegetables. It’s why bathrooms in vegetable packing facilities in NC have pictograph signs directing illegal aliens to put toilet paper in the toilet not the trash and wash their hands. Yes, I used to pick up at the produce houses in California and NC. Watched it happen which is why I have a garden of my own and wash all vegetables I buy in the store.
So they’re worried about causing customers to suffer from parasitic explosive diarrhea, as opposed to the slightly milder type their food usually causes?
It’s consistent. After all, they don’t serve actual Mexican food, they serve “Mexican-inspired” food.
Its an inspiration allright!
Derek says, “My bad! I thought our new offering was a ‘Fluxe Menu!'”
Fluxe Menu?
Great Scott! Emmet Brown could use some of that to make a capacitor that would be useful for time travel.
Seems like I remember salad ‘sickness’ from Wendy’s restaurants all the way back to the mid 1980s.
I remember back to the Jack In The Box situation back in the mid-’70s.
If you’re looking for a salad, why the #!!? would you go to a fast food chain. Pro tip: if it can’t be fried, don’t frigging order it.
B-b-but preservatives are “bad” for you!
It’s probably cilantro. That stuff is evil.
DW has the gene that makes cilantro and coriander taste like soap. It’s a depressingly common ailment in today’s population..
My Dad had that. I love the stuff. TJ “Street tacos” in San Diego
I make two batches of pico de gallo, with and without cilantro. My wife says it tastes like dish soap. I haven’t tasted dish soap, but cilantro doesn’t taste like what I think dish soap would taste like. I also grow my own ingredients, so I don’t worry about Mexican or Chinese produce fertilized with human sewage.
Ms. Souther suffers from the same.
I have no idea what Trump thinks about cilantro, but wouldn’t it be great if he were to announce he forming a commission to study it, and that it may be banned?
I guess and an old and wise or something or maybe it’s because I eventually learned to read but IMHO anyone who eats at Taco Bell is playing Mexican Roulette.
“Google” the search criteria Taco Bell Hepatitis and see how many pages of results you get before you get bored and quit. It’s everywhere, all the time.
The only fast food outlet I will eat at is In-n-Out. Their restaurants are always super clean.
We need to take a second look at irradiating food.
Taco Bell,
“Explosive diarrhea”.
~snicker~
Darn, beat me to it.
.
Here is the link to the correct article which does not mention Kansas City, MO at all.
The Kansas Department of Health does not report on diseases in Kansas City, MO.
The Kansas Department of Health Infectious Diseases Dashboard
Cases have been reported in the following Kansas counties:
Cherokee (SE KS), Douglas (Lawrence), Ellis (Hayes), Leavenworth, Lyon (Emporia), Osage (S of Topeka), Reno (Hutchinson), Sedgewick (Wichita), and Wyandotte (Kansas City, KS)