Taco Bell offering $1 lettuce-free deal amid cyclospora outbreak - USA Today

What the report says

USA Today reported that Taco Bell promoted a one-day $1 Enchirito offer on July 22 as the chain faces reduced customer visits during a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak tied by federal investigators to lettuce used in some of its restaurants. The Enchirito, described as a flour tortilla with beef, beans, onions, cheddar cheese and red sauce, does not contain lettuce. USA Today noted that Taco Bell’s social media post did not directly connect the promotion to the outbreak.

The deal was available at participating locations until 11:59 p.m. PT on July 22, while supplies lasted, with a limit of five per purchase, according to the company’s social media comments cited by USA Today. The outlet said it contacted Taco Bell for additional information about the promotion.

The report comes after Taco Bell said on July 17 that it had removed Taylor Farms lettuce from its food, citing discussions with public health officials and a precautionary approach. USA Today cited Placer.ai data showing visits to Taco Bell locations nationwide were down by more than 30% on July 17 compared with the chain’s average Friday traffic from Jan. 1 through July 6.

Federal health officials have continued investigating the outbreak. USA Today reported that the CDC, as of July 21, had listed 4,173 lab-confirmed U.S. cyclosporiasis cases since May 1, along with 308 hospitalizations and no deaths. The FDA has linked Taylor Farms to the investigation, though a lettuce sample initially reported positive was later deemed a false positive, and no confirmed positive cyclospora sample results had been reported as of July 19.