Several Taco Bell locations, particularly across Michigan, are temporarily pulling fresh ingredients like lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and their cilantro-onion mix from the menu. It is a strict safety precaution as health officials investigate a major spike in cyclosporiasis cases—a brutal stomach illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite that triggers severe, watery diarrhea.
Michigan has been hit the hardest with nearly a thousand confirmed cases, and the outbreak has already spread to over a dozen other states. While the exact source of the contamination remains a mystery and officials haven't actually confirmed that anyone got sick from eating at Taco Bell, the chain isn't taking any chances.
If you're hitting up the drive-thru, your go-to favorites like tacos, Crunchwrap Supremes, and Cantina Chicken options are still available, they'll just be missing those raw, fresh toppings. Interestingly, prices are staying exactly the same despite the lighter ingredients.
It's a stark reminder of how serious food safety can be, so don't be shocked if your next late-night order looks a little bare.
With everything going on, are you all still risking it for the tacos right now?