Taco Bell saw a nearly 19% drop in foot traffic after the FDA linked the chain to a nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak.

Taco Bell experienced a nearly 19% decline in foot traffic on July 17 compared to its average for the year. The drop occurred after the Food and Drug Administration linked the fast-food chain to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak. In response, Taco Bell pulled lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico from its menu as a precautionary measure. Data from Placer.ai shows that Taco Bell’s decline was more significant than that of competitors like McDonald's and Chipotle. The parasite, which causes gastrointestinal issues, has been confirmed in over 1,600 cases nationwide. While the FDA initially reported a positive test result for a sample of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce over the weekend, the agency later clarified that the result was a false positive. Despite the correction, the FDA maintains that the epidemiological data linking the Taylor Farms lettuce to the outbreak remains overwhelming. Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant stated that the company aims to remain transparent as it works to earn back customer loyalty.

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