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Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Affects Restaurant Visits in El Paso

KVIA•Monday, July 20, 2026 at 9:04 PM•CNN Newsource

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A recent cyclospora outbreak has led to a significant decline in customer visits to various food chains, particularly those serving lettuce. The FDA and CDC have connected the outbreak to lettuce used in some Taco Bell locations, causing foot traffic to drop by 16.9% on July 15 and nearly 19% after the announcement on July 17. Other chains like Cava, Chopt, Panera Bread, Chipotle, and Subway are also experiencing reduced visits, with Subway seeing a 19.2% drop. While Taco Bell has removed the affected lettuce, the source of the outbreak remains under investigation, with Taylor Farms identified as a potential supplier. This situation is crucial for local diners and restaurant owners as it impacts public health and business operations.

Key Details: • Foot traffic at Taco Bell dropped 16.9% on July 15 and nearly 19% on July 17. • Subway experienced a 19.2% decline in customer visits on July 16. • The FDA is investigating Taylor Farms as a possible source of the contaminated lettuce. • Other chains like Cava, Chipotle, and Panera saw drops in traffic under 10%.

food-safety taco-bell cyclospora lettuce restaurant-traffic

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El PasoFDACDCTaco BellTaylor Farms

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