Taco Bell's lettuce sickened 212 people across 21 states — and cost Yum $20M

In July 2026, the CDC and FDA confirmed that shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell was the source of a Cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 212 people across 21 states, including Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. At least 94 people were hospitalised. The contaminated lettuce was supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Taco Bell parent Yum! Brands reported the outbreak cost the chain $15 million to $20 million in lost sales and the expense of removing and replacing lettuce across affected stores. Taco Bell cooperated with the CDC and FDA investigation, pulled the suspect lettuce, and issued public statements emphasising food safety measures. The outbreak was the largest Cyclospora event linked to a single restaurant chain in recent years and exposed the vulnerability of centralised produce supply chains.