Cyclosporiasis Outbreak Raises Concerns for Salad Chains
A widespread cyclosporiasis outbreak in the U.S., suspected to be linked to lettuce, is prompting caution among food chains. Thousands have fallen ill, leading health authorities to advise consumers to be wary of salad consumption.
The United States is grappling with a significant cyclosporiasis outbreak, with thousands of infections reported, primarily in Michigan. Health officials, including those from the Michigan Department of Health, suspect that lettuce may be the common culprit behind the illnesses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed cases in at least 34 states since May 1.
This growing concern over foodborne illness has led some experts to recommend avoiding bagged lettuce and salad products for the time being. Dr. Dan Barouch, director of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, advised consumers to consider rewashing even pre-washed greens due to the unknown source of the outbreak.
While no specific restaurant or brand has been officially blamed, some chains are taking preemptive measures. Taco Bell has reportedly removed some ingredients, such as leafy greens and fresh salsas, from its menu at certain locations. Other smaller eateries have also taken similar steps.
However, larger salad-focused chains like Sweetgreen and Chopt have remained notably silent regarding any public statements about the outbreak. Fast Company reported that these major chains did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Consumer behavior appears to be shifting, at least in some regions. One Detroit vegan restaurant reported a quarter of guests asking for no lettuce and a notable dip in sales. Conversely, a Sweetgreen location in Brooklyn claims to have seen no impact on sales. Despite this, Sweetgreen's stock has fallen over 22% in the past five days, and Yum Brands, parent of Taco Bell, has seen a stock decline of over 7%.