business
Not just Taco Bell: Parasite outbreak tied to lettuce dents restaurant traffic
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by CNN Newsource , KVIA ABC-7
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
By Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN (CNN) — Americans are making fewer visits to food chains with lettuce-heavy menus as concerns mount over the cyclospora outbreak. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked lettuce served at some Taco Bell resta...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting CNN Newsource, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway 9% on July 15 compared to Taco Bell’s average daily levels this year, according to nationwide data from Placer.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso's restaurant scene is likely feeling the ripple effects of the cyclospora outbreak, given the city's strong presence of chains like Taco Bell, Chipotle, and Subway. The decline in foot traffic at these establishments could have a notable impact on local economies, particularly in areas with high concentrations of restaurants. As the outbreak continues to unfold, El Pasoans may be more cautious about dining out, opting for establishments with perceived lower risks or those that have taken proactive steps to address food safety concerns. The fact that the outbreak has been linked to a specific lettuce supplier, Taylor Farms, may also prompt local restaurants to reexamine their own supply chains and sourcing practices. With the outbreak's cause still not fully understood, El Paso's health and food safety officials will be closely watching the situation, and local residents can expect to see increased scrutiny of food handling and preparation practices at area restaurants.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN (CNN) — Americans are making fewer visits to food chains with lettuce-heavy menus as concerns mount over the cyclospora outbreak. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked lettuce served at some Taco Bell resta...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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