Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Hits US Restaurant Traffic, Lettuce Sales

A multistate outbreak of the parasitic illness cyclosporiasis is prompting U.S. consumers to avoid certain restaurants and reduce lettuce purchases, creating headwinds for the food service and produce industries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked the outbreak to iceberg lettuce from a Taylor Farms facility in central Mexico that was supplied to Taco Bell, but ongoing new cases have fueled broader concerns over food safety.

Restaurant Traffic Declines

Data shows a notable drop in customer visits to restaurant chains that feature lettuce prominently on their menus. According to analytics firm Placer.ai, foot traffic on July 23 slumped significantly compared to the average Thursday over the prior six months:

• Taco Bell, owned by Yum Brands, saw traffic fall by 20.8%.
• Salad chain Chopt experienced a 12.2% decline.
• Panera Bread traffic was down 3.1%.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill saw a 1.4% drop.

Taco Bell stated it removed the affected lettuce from its restaurants as of July 17. A Placer.ai representative noted that while chains are still seeing fewer customers, the worst of the decline may have passed.

Retail Sales Suffer Amid Uncertainty

Ad

The impact has extended to grocery stores, where consumer uncertainty is depressing produce sales. Market research firm NielsenIQ reported that for the week ending July 18, U.S. unit sales for fresh lettuce fell 9% from the previous week and were down 19% from two weeks prior.

Paul Sellew, CEO of lettuce grower Little Leaf Farms, told Reuters that industry-wide sales have fallen by double digits. "The entire fresh produce category at retail is down," Sellew said. "The consumer has been motivated by fear."

Outbreak Scope and Official Response

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 6,707 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, with authorities aware of over 11,500 additional suspected cases. The ongoing rise in infections, even after the initial product removal, has led health officials to investigate other potential sources, including parsley and cilantro in North Carolina.

In response to the outbreak, some major retailers and restaurants have stopped sourcing produce from the region of central Mexico implicated in the contamination, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said on Monday. The situation highlights the vulnerability of supply chains and the significant economic impact of foodborne illness outbreaks.