Taco Bell temporarily axes five menu items amid surging Cyclospora cases across the US
A Taco Bell has temporarily axed five items from its menu amid rising Cyclospora cases across the United States, as more than 40 people have been hospitalised in Michigan, as per reports.
Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite that causes an intestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis, is on the rise, with a whopping 1,251 cases reported in Michigan alone, as per Delish.
People in states such as Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin are also said to be suffering symptoms including watery diarrhoea ‘with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements’, as per the CDC.
Other symptoms include cramps, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever and vomiting.
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Despite the CDC having received reports from 17 states in total, health officials have yet to determine whether all of the illnesses - including the 44 people hospitalised in Michigan - can be connected to a single outbreak.
Investigators have not identified a specific food, grower, or supplier responsible; however, Cyclospora outbreaks have previously been connected to fresh produce, including lettuce and herbs, such as basil and cilantro (or coriander if you live in Britain).
Both lettuce and cilantro have recently been pulled from one Taco Bell restaurant, according to a Reddit post made by a user who said they lived in Michigan.
They took to the social media site to post an image of a sign stuck on a drive-thru which read: “We are currently unable to sell Lettuce, Cilantro, Onion, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole due to a nationwide recall,” the notice read. “We apologise for the inconvenience.
“Any items ordered that normally come with these items WILL NOT contain them,” the sign added.
Menu items impacted by the cull include the new Cantina Chicken Mexican Pizza and the Crunchwrap Supreme.
Allrecipes reported that neither the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued recalls for these specific items.
Moreover, the chain has not been identified as the source, and no illnesses have been publicly tied to its restaurants.
Not all Taco Bell sites have removed lettuce and the like from their menus, with some claiming their local branch is still slinging out products containing the temprarily banned items.
“I ordered extra lettuce on my soft tacos last night, I don't know why but my Taco Bell seems to double the ground beef if you order extra lettuce,” one said.
“As a manager at a Taco Bell restaurant, there hasn’t been any company wide emails regarding any emails,” a second said.
Another typed: “Happened to multiple in SE Michigan, I got the SADDEST food I’ve ever gotten from TB yesterday.”
Someone else remarked: “Definitely better to be safe than sorry.. really sucks that so many people are getting sick.”
“So just beans, meat, cheese & packet salsa. I can work with that,” added a fifth.
FOODbible has contacted Taco Bell for comment.
Taco Bell launch Baja Blast in the UK
Late last month, it was announced that Taco Bell stores in Britain would start serving cups of Mountain Dew Baja Blast more than 20 years after it was introduced in the US.
The legendary drink, featuring a cool blast of tropical lime flavour, is available across the nation whilst stocks last.
Speaking about the launch, Lucy Dee, Marketing Director of Taco Bell UK said: “Baja Blast has built an incredible following over the years, and we've consistently heard from UK fans asking us to bring it here.
“This launch is about rewarding that passion and finally giving customers the opportunity to experience one of Taco Bell’s most iconic drinks for themselves.”
She added: We know how much excitement there is around Baja Blast, and we can't wait for fans to get their first taste.”
Meanwhile, Steven Hind, Chief Marketing Officer, Beverages UK at PepsiCo, said bringing the soft drink to Britain gives consumers ‘something genuinely new and highly ownable, while extending a global partnership that has created some of the most memorable moments for Mountain Dew fans’.
“It’s an exciting step for the brand and for the UK, as we continue to grow through flavours and partnerships that stand out,” he added.
Ella Scott