Taco Bell has temporarily removed several fresh produce items from menus at select locations as health officials investigate a nationwide cyclospora outbreak.
The chain has posted notices at affected stores informing customers that lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro, and onions are currently unavailable.
Nearly 1,500 people across the country have been sickened in connection with the outbreak, prompting the precautionary removals at impacted locations.
All menu items remain available at affected stores, but they are being served without the named produce ingredients during the investigation period.
The missing items are staples in several popular Taco Bell favorites, including tacos, the Crunchwrap Supreme, and Cantina Chicken menu items.
Cyclospora is a parasite that causes cyclosporiasis, a stomach illness typically contracted through consumption of contaminated fresh produce.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns the illness can cause “watery diarrhea” and “frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements” that may last for a month or longer.
Other symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, bloating, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss, with some symptoms potentially persisting after gastrointestinal issues resolve.
Cases have spiked sharply across several states, including Michigan, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, and New York, over the past week.
Michigan alone has reported more than 990 patients, a dramatic surge compared to the roughly 50 cases the state would typically see in an entire year.
New York City has confirmed 273 cases since May 1 and 301 total cases so far in 2026, according to the city’s Health Department, with investigations underway in 28 additional states.
No specific produce supplier, grower, or type of produce has been formally identified as the source of the outbreak at this stage.
Taco Bell itself has not been identified as a source of the outbreak, and it remains unclear whether any individuals who ate at the chain became ill.
Health officials are encouraging consumers to thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them to reduce the risk of infection.
The CDC also recommends scrubbing firm produce such as melons and cucumbers with a clean produce brush and cutting away any damaged or bruised areas before preparation.
