Lettuce Safety Concerns and Rising Costs Challenge U.S. Restaurants
The U.S. restaurant industry is grappling with a Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce, causing thousands of illnesses and impacting consumer confidence. The outbreak, which began in June 2026, has been traced to lettuce served at Taco Bell locations across several states. In response, Taco Bell has removed the affected lettuce from its menu. The situation is compounded by rising lettuce prices due to supply chain issues, including weather-related production challenges and increased transportation costs. These factors are straining restaurants that rely heavily on fresh produce. 
