Fast-food restaurants, including McDonald's, Burger King, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell, and KFC, are adjusting their menus by offering items without lettuce in response to an ongoing cyclospora outbreak. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has linked the outbreak to shredded iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite, causes cyclosporiasis, with diarrhea being the most common symptom.
McDonald's standard hamburger remains a lettuce-free option, differing from items like the Big Mac and McChicken. Other McDonald's selections that do not contain lettuce include the Filet-O-Fish, Double Cheeseburger, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, and Chicken McNuggets. These offerings provide alternatives for consumers concerned about the outbreak.
KFC's menu also features several lettuce-free items. While chicken wraps and some chicken sandwiches contain lettuce, the chain's signature original recipe fried chicken, chicken tenders, nuggets, and the Famous Bowl are prepared without it.
Taco Bell has highlighted limited-time promotions for items such as the Mexican Pizza, Enchirito, and regular Nacho Fries, all of which do not contain shredded lettuce. Other lettuce-free choices at Taco Bell include the Bean Burrito, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Cheesy Roll Up, Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, and various Quesadillas.
Chick-fil-A's menu includes several items without lettuce. The chain's signature chicken sandwich and its spicy variant contain only pickles. Chick-fil-A Nuggets, Chick-n-Strips, and Chicken Biscuits are also available without lettuce.
At Wendy's, while many burgers include lettuce, items like the Baconator, Son of Baconator, and the chain's chili are prepared without it. The Baconator features beef patties, bacon, and cheese, while the Son of Baconator is a smaller version with significant bacon content.
Burger King's menu also presents lettuce-free choices. Items such as their nuggets, Chicken Fries, and the Rodeo Burger do not contain lettuce. The Rodeo Burger is topped with onion rings and barbecue sauce.
Dr. Janette Nesheiwat discussed the cyclospora outbreak on 'Saturday in America,' noting that the FDA identified shredded iceberg lettuce as the source. This identification has prompted various food service providers to re-evaluate their ingredient sourcing and menu offerings to ensure consumer safety.
