Taco Bell and Other Restaurants Scramble to Change Menus Over Parasite Linked to ‘Explosive Diarrhea’
A microscopic parasite is forcing restaurants across the country to rethink what goes on a plate. Cyclospora, known for triggering watery, sometimes explosive diarrhea that can last more than a month, has sickened thousands of Americans this summer. The outbreak has spread unevenly, hammering some states while leaving others untouched. Health officials still don’t know the exact source. For diners, that uncertainty means every salad, taco topping and garnish now carries a question mark.
Michigan Reports Over 2,640 Cases, Ohio Adds 361 More
Michigan has become the outbreak’s epicenter. State health officials reported 2,640 cases as of Monday, including 44 hospitalizations, according to Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive. Neighboring Ohio has logged 361 cases since June 1, with 46 hospitalizations of its own. Combined, the two states account for more than 3,000 cases. Public health officials warn the real number is almost certainly higher, since testing for this particular parasite is inconsistent and often missed entirely.
The CDC’s Official Count of 843 Hides a Much Bigger Picture
The federal government’s own dashboard tells a smaller story than the states do. As of July 9, the CDC’s surveillance dashboard showed 843 confirmed domestic cases across 31 states, a number the agency itself calls a likely undercount. An independent tally of state health departments by NBC News put the national total above 4,000 as of July 13. The gap exists partly because cyclospora testing requires a special lab order most doctors don’t automatically request.
Symptoms Can Linger for a Month Without the Right Antibiotic
Cyclosporiasis rarely kills, but it can wreck a person’s summer. Left untreated, symptoms include watery bowel movements, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite that can drag on for weeks. Food safety lawyer Bill Marler, who has represented people sickened by the parasite, said the illness “is not pleasant, and it can last for months.” Unlike a stomach bug, it doesn’t clear up on its own. Doctors say it requires a specific antibiotic, and diagnosis often comes only after multiple tests.
Michigan Officials Point to Lettuce or Salad Greens as a Likely Source
Investigators believe they’ve narrowed in on a culprit, even without a confirmed supplier. Dr. Bagdasarian said early information has repeatedly pointed to lettuce as a common product tied to reported illnesses. Still, state officials caution that other foods can’t be ruled out, and no specific grower, distributor or brand has been named. That gap between suspicion and proof is exactly why restaurants aren’t waiting for a formal recall before acting on their own.
Taco Bell Pulls Lettuce and Toppings at Locations in Michigan and Texas
The outbreak reached a national fast-food chain this month. Two Taco Bell restaurants in Michigan confirmed they stopped serving lettuce and a cilantro-onion mix starting the week prior. Signs posted at some locations in Metro Detroit and Texas cite a lack of lettuce, cilantro-onion, pico de gallo and guacamole “due to a nationwide recall,” though no formal recall has actually been issued. No illnesses have been publicly linked to the chain, and the removals appear limited to select locations rather than a company-wide policy.
Dipisa’s Pizza Removes Lettuce, Tomatoes and Onions From Its Menu
In Stevensville, Michigan, Dipisa’s Pizza chose caution over convenience. The pizzeria posted on Facebook that it would pause serving lettuce, tomatoes and onions entirely until health officials know more. The post explained the restaurant would “rather than take any unnecessary risks” hold off on the ingredients until the situation resolves. It’s a small, independent move, but one that signals how seriously local restaurant owners are treating a threat that federal investigators haven’t yet been able to pin down.
Red B Restaurant Washes Produce Twice, Drops Kale and Parsley
In Idabel, Oklahoma, a state with no confirmed cyclosporiasis cases, the Red B Restaurant isn’t taking chances. The restaurant announced it’s now soaking and rewashing produce a second time, even lettuce and spinach already labeled pre-washed. That extra step, the restaurant admitted, makes salads noticeably wetter. Kale and parsley have been pulled from the menu altogether, the restaurant said, because their tightly folded leaves are harder to clean thoroughly enough to guarantee safety.
National Chains Stay Silent as Chipotle Says It’s ‘Monitoring the Situation’
Beyond Taco Bell, most major chains have said almost nothing. McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, Burger King, Subway, Jersey Mike’s and Wendy’s did not respond to requests for comment on their outbreak response. Chipotle broke the silence: chief corporate affairs officer Laurie Schalow said the company doesn’t “believe the ingredients we source are associated” with the outbreak, but is watching closely. The industry’s largest players appear to be betting the outbreak won’t touch their supply chains, even as smaller restaurants aren’t willing to make that same bet.
A Weakened Surveillance System Is Colliding With an Unprecedented Outbreak
This outbreak is unfolding at the same time the country’s ability to track it has shrunk. In 2025, the CDC’s Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network dropped cyclospora from mandatory monitoring after 28 years on the list, narrowing active tracking to salmonella and one dangerous E. coli strain. Microbiologist Rodney Rohde said the outbreak “is probably wider spread than we realized.” With no recall issued and the season running through August, the gap between how many people are sick and how much investigators actually know keeps growing.
