- Cyclospora cases linked to Taco Bell have been reported in nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
- Taco Bell removed potentially affected lettuce from a supplier after the FDA linked it to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak.
- Yum Brands CEO Christopher Turner emphasized that the safety and well-being of consumers is their top priority.
- Sales declines have moderated materially, with steady improvement in day-over-day sales trends.
- Average sales for the last four days indicate they are halfway back to sales levels of the prior year.
Yum Brands CEO Christopher Turner has emphasized consumer safety as Taco Bell deals with a cyclospora outbreak linked to its lettuce supplier. The outbreak has affected sales, which dropped 2% amid consumer concerns.3
The FDA and CDC are currently investigating the supplier, urging consumers in four states to avoid shredded lettuce.
Turner stated, "our top priority is, and always will be, the safety and well-being of our consumers." Following the outbreak, Taco Bell removed potentially affected lettuce from its supply chain.2
Despite the initial impact, Yum Brands CFO Ranjith Roy reported that sales declines have moderated significantly.4
"It is early days, but in the subsequent week, sales declines have moderated materially, and we are seeing steady improvement in day-over-day sales trends," Roy noted.
He added that average sales for the last four days indicate that the company is "halfway back to sales levels of the prior year." The outbreak has resulted in reported cyclospora cases in nine states, including Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, raising concerns about food safety and consumer trust.15
As Taco Bell works to recover, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of its products and restoring consumer confidence.
“Cyclospora cases linked to Taco Bell have been reported in nine states, prompting the FDA and CDC to investigate the lettuce supplier. Despite the outbreak, sales declines have moderated, with average sales for the last four days indicating they are halfway back to levels of the prior year.”
Fox Business
