Taco Bell reports sales recovery following lettuce-linked outbreak

Taco Bell revealed this week that sales have returned to normal after the company was linked to an outbreak initially believed to be tied to contaminated lettuce.Taco Bell said sales fell 4% during the third quarter of 2026, which spans July through September, but rebounded to normal levels in October. The company credited the return of its Decades Menu for helping drive the recovery. The limited-time menu featured past favorites, including the Gordita Supreme, Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos and Chili Cheese Burrito.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initially linked the outbreak to lettuce supplied to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms. The CDC later determined the result was a false positive and has not identified the exact cause of the outbreak.RELATED STORY | Taco Bell sticks with Pepsi as sister chain switches to CokeThe outbreak was declared "over" in September.Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne illness caused by a microscopic parasite. People typically become infected through cont