Some Taco Bell Locations Aren't Serving These 4 Toppings For A Very 'Explosive' Reason

If your local Taco Bell isn't serving lettuce, it's probably not because of a supply issue or employee mistake. The staff isn't being careless if pico de gallo is missing from your order or if you can't get cilantro, onion, and guacamole. Instead, the workers are doing you a favor. According to a report from People, these toppings might be linked to a growing number of cases of a foodborne illness that can cause explosive diarrhea in victims. Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal sickness caused by the foodborne parasite Cyclospora. 

The illness is getting a reputation around the United States for being quite a nasty case of food poisoning. You can get it by eating contaminated raw fruit, vegetables, and greens, including ingredients like cilantro, onion, and those found in guacamole and pico de gallo.

A Redditor posted about the missing Taco Bell toppings on July 6. The post includes a picture of a note pinned to the drive-thru at a restaurant in Michigan. The sign says, "We are currently unable to sell lettuce, cilantro, onion, pico de gallo, and guacamole due to a nationwide recall. We apologize for the inconvenience" (via Reddit). As of this writing, there are not any nationwide produce recalls in effect. Though the reported number of cases has reached around 2,000, according to People, there have been no associated deaths in 2026 (per Centers for Disease Control). The CDC will continue surveilling the number of cyclosporiasis cases, though none have been linked to a common supplier, store, or restaurant.

Your local Taco Bell might still be serving toppings like lettuce, cilantro, onion, guacamole, and pico de gallo, but others may be leaving these veggies off of items that usually have them. If the whole explosive diarrhea parasite made you lose your taste for vegetables but you're still craving Taco Bell, there are still plenty of options. A good staple order is a simple crunchy taco with plenty of cheese and ground beef.

Taco Bell's chicken menu items bring funky flavor and plenty of meat, so you'll still enjoy quesadillas, burritos, or soft tacos even without the veggies. You might be able to find a few tasty orders on the list of Taco Bell breakfast items, too. Another way to add some pizzazz without perishable toppings is to make your Taco Bell order extra saucy. Branch out from your usual packets by ordering sides of something like chipotle mayo, nacho cheese, or creamy jalapeño sauce.