Taco Bell has spent years being the punchline of jokes about emergency bathroom trips, but this time, some customers may have a real reason to be cautious.
The fast-food chain has reportedly pulled several fresh ingredients from some locations while health officials investigate a growing outbreak of cyclospora, a foodborne parasite that can cause weeks of miserable stomach symptoms.
The temporarily unavailable ingredients reportedly include lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole and Taco Bell’s cilantro-onion blend.
That means some popular menu items may look a little less loaded than usual. Customers ordering tacos, the Crunchwrap Supreme or certain Cantina Chicken items could find those fresh toppings missing from their meals.
The move comes as cyclospora cases continue to rise across the country, with 17 states reporting illnesses tied to the parasite. Michigan has been hit especially hard, with nearly 1,000 people reportedly sickened there alone.
Cyclospora is known for causing intense gastrointestinal symptoms, including watery diarrhea and frequent bowel movements that have been described as “explosive.” In some cases, symptoms can last for weeks.
To be clear, Taco Bell has not been identified as the source of the outbreak. Officials also have not said that anyone became sick after eating at the chain.
Instead, investigators are looking into contaminated fresh produce that may have been distributed more broadly.
Still, the timing is rough for a fast-food brand that has spent decades trying to escape bathroom-related jokes.
For now, “hold the lettuce” may not be a special request at some Taco Bell restaurants. It may simply be how certain orders are coming out while the investigation continues.
