Taco Bell visits drop 19% after lettuce parasite outbreak

Investing.com -- Customer visits to Taco Bell locations fell sharply Friday following a parasite outbreak that health authorities connected to lettuce from one of the chain's suppliers.

Foot traffic on July 17 dropped nearly 19% below Taco Bell's typical Friday average recorded between Jan. 1 and July 6, according to mobile device data from Placer.ai. The decline exceeded the 1.9% decrease seen across the broader fast-food category that day.

The outbreak has affected Taco Bell, which serves as the primary growth engine for parent company Yum! Brands Inc.. Traffic at the Mexican-inspired chain also decreased in the four days before July 17, underperforming the fast-food industry average during each instance.

Yum shares have fallen roughly 10% since July 10, when reports first emerged linking Taco Bell to the outbreak.

The chain removed all lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms from its U.S. locations. Health officials traced cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a microscopic parasite, to lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants.

The Food and Drug Administration reported Saturday that it found a positive test connecting cyclospora to Taylor Farms lettuce not included in an existing recall. The agency later said Sunday evening that it re-examined the sample and determined the result was a false positive. Health officials continue investigating Taylor Farms produce using alternative testing methods.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported cyclosporiasis infections across more than 30 states. Michigan recorded 6,148 illnesses and 102 hospitalizations, the highest state count. State figures typically trail behind national totals.

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