CDC reports cyclosporiasis outbreaks in 41 states
Since May 1, the number of cyclosporiasis cases has surged to more than 4,000 in 41 states, and the CDC warns that the true number is likely higher than reported.
Due to the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak impacting customer traffic, Taco Bell is offering a $1 promotion on menu items that do not include lettuce.
In a social media post on the afternoon of July 22, Taco Bell promoted $1 enchiritos, flour tortillas stuffed with ground meat, beans, chopped onions, cheddar cheese and red sauce. The temporary menu does not include lettuce. Social media posts do not explicitly state that the agreement was signed because of the cyclosporosis outbreak.
One Instagram user commented on a Taco Bell post promoting the deal, saying, “Okay, I hope they keep Enchirito permanent.”
The proposal comes as the fast-food chain has seen a sharp decline in foot traffic after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration linked its lettuce to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis, which causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illnesses.
As of July 17, the number of visitors to Taco Bell restaurants nationwide was down more than 30% compared to the chain’s average footfall for each Friday from January 1 to July 6 of this year, according to Placer.ai, which tracks foot traffic using data from cameras and mobile devices.
On the same day, Taco Bell announced it was removing Taylor Farms lettuce from its food products after the FDA linked it to an ongoing parasitic disease outbreak.
Taco Bell said in a statement that the move was “taken out of an abundance of caution and in ongoing consultation with public health officials.”
USA TODAY contacted Taco Bell on July 22 for more information about the new $1 item, which does not include lettuce.
How to get $1 enchiritos at Taco Bell
Taco Bell customers can get a $1 (plus tax) Enchirito at participating Taco Bell locations until July 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT, the chain said in a comment posted on social media. Customers are limited to 5 Enchiritos per purchase.
Latest information on the cyclosporosis outbreak: cases, lettuce recalls, and what you need to know
On July 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 4,173 laboratory-confirmed cases of cysticercosis in the United States since May 1. More than 7,400 additional cases, many in Michigan and Ohio, have not yet been confirmed by a laboratory, the CDC said.
During this period, 308 people were hospitalized, but there were no deaths. The CDC’s previous report on July 15 listed 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases and 141 hospitalizations.
On July 17, the company announced a large-scale voluntary recall of its iceberg lettuce products after the FDA linked Taylor Farms to the outbreak. The FDA investigation initially linked the disease, which causes explosive diarrhea, to lettuce from Mexico’s Taylor Farms, which was sold through Taco Bell stores in some five states.
Lettuce samples from Taylor Farms tested positive for Cyclospora parasites on July 18th. However, on July 19, the FDA announced that after re-examination, the test was found to be a false positive.
As of July 19, no samples tested for Cyclospora have yielded positive results, the FDA said. However, the Taylor farm remains linked to the outbreak while the FDA continues to investigate the exact source and collect test samples.
Contributor: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. Story ideas? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
Melina Khan is USA TODAY’s national trends reporter. X Keep up with her at @melinakh and on Instagram @bymelinakhan.
