Taco Bell Offers $1 Enchiritos After Cyclospora Outbreak

Taco Bell introduces $1 Enchiritos following a cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce, aiming to regain customer trust.

Taco Bell has introduced a $1 menu item in an effort to help customers move past the recent cyclospora outbreak linked to its iceberg lettuce. The fast-food chain is now selling Enchiritos at this promotional price while supplies last, available through its app or website from 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. PT.

Typically priced between $3.99 to $4.29 depending on the location, Enchiritos are a blend of an enchilada and a burrito but notably do not contain lettuce.

This initiative comes after the FDA announced on Thursday, July 16, that shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia was associated with at least 1,644 cases of cyclosporiasis, an illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, reported between May 13 and July 13. The outbreak has caused concern among customers, leading to decreased foot traffic at Taco Bell and other restaurants where lettuce is a staple.

Data from location intelligence firm Placer.ai indicated a notable drop in restaurant visitors as details of the outbreak spread. Following the FDA’s announcement, the stock price of Taco Bell’s parent company, Yum! Brands Inc., fell from a five-month high of $167 on July 7 to $147 by July 17.

Taco Bell and its leadership have expressed appreciation for their loyal customer base, emphasizing their commitment to safety and transparency moving forward. In a statement, company representatives acknowledged the community support and pledged to keep customers informed about the company’s future actions.

Concerns have also been raised regarding Taylor Farms, the lettuce supplier for Taco Bell, particularly related to how the outbreak information has been communicated to the public. As the situation unfolds, Taco Bell aims to restore customer confidence while navigating the challenges posed by the cyclospora outbreak.