Lettuce Safety Concerns Prompt Taco Bell's $1 Promotions

WHO:

Fast Company - At least 1,645 people have been affected by a cyclosporiasis outbreak in the US.

Fast Company - Taylor Farms de Mexico is linked to the outbreak.

Fast Company - Taco Bell has received infected lettuce linked to the outbreak.

WHAT:

USA Today - Taco Bell is offering a $1 Enchirito, a flour tortilla filled with ground beef, beans, diced onions, cheddar cheese, and a red sauce, as a temporary menu item that does not include lettuce.

USA Today - Taco Bell's foot traffic was down by more than 30% on July 17 compared to its average for each Friday between January 1 and July 6, 2026.

USA Today - The CDC reported 4,173 laboratory-confirmed U.S. cases of cyclosporiasis since May 1, with over 7,400 additional cases pending confirmation, and 308 hospitalizations reported.

Fast Company - The multistate outbreak has affected at least 1,645 people, with an additional 5,000 cases pending further testing.

Fast Company - The FDA has recommended avoiding all products recalled by Taylor Farms, despite the initial tests being a false positive.

Fast Company - The FDA linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico, although initial tests were a false positive.

Fast Company - Taylor Farms issued a voluntary recall of iceberg lettuce distributed from June 29 through July 16.

Fast Company - The recall includes shredded, chopped, and salad-mix versions of lettuce with best used by dates running through August 3.

The Source - Taco Bell is offering $1 lettuce deals to restore customer confidence during the outbreak.

WHERE:

Fast Company - Some lettuce products from the Marketside brand, available at Walmart, may be affected as they come from the same facility as the recalled lettuce.

Fast Company - The affected lettuce has been distributed across 27 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Fast Company - Infected lettuce has been linked to cases in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The lettuce recall includes products distributed from June 29 through July 16, with best used by dates running through August 3.

WHY:

Fast Company - The outbreak of cyclosporiasis is caused by consuming produce or water infected with fecal matter.

HOW:

USA Today - Customers can purchase the $1 Enchirito at participating Taco Bell locations through 11:59 p.m. PT on July 22, 2026, with a limit of five per purchase.

Fast Company - Consumers are advised to compare product codes and dates on packaging with details shared on the Taylor Farms website to identify affected products.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 01:28 UTC)

Taco Bell has introduced a $1 Enchirito, which is a flour tortilla filled with ground beef, beans, diced onions, cheddar cheese, and red sauce, available at participating locations until 11:59 p.m. PT on July 22, 2026, with a limit of five per purchase. This comes as the chain experienced a significant drop in foot traffic, down by more than 30% on July 17 compared to its average Fridays earlier this year. Meanwhile, the CDC has reported 4,173 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. since May 1, with over 7,400 additional cases pending confirmation and 308 hospitalizations noted.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 23:22 UTC)

A multistate outbreak has impacted at least 1,645 people, with an additional 5,000 cases pending further testing. The FDA is advising consumers to steer clear of all products recalled by Taylor Farms, even though initial tests indicated a false positive, and some lettuce products from the Marketside brand at Walmart may also be affected. To ensure safety, consumers should compare product codes and dates on their packaging with the information available on the Taylor Farms website to identify any potentially impacted items.

(UPDATED July 22, 2026 22:25 UTC)

A cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S. has affected at least 1,645 people, with iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico linked to the cases. The FDA has confirmed a voluntary recall of shredded, chopped, and salad-mix versions of the lettuce distributed between June 29 and July 16, with best used by dates through August 3, and Taco Bell is now offering $1 lettuce deals to help restore customer confidence. Consumers are urged to check product codes and dates against information on the Taylor Farms website to identify any affected items.