Taco Bell offers $1 Mexican pizza, other lettuce-free deals to win back customers after outbreak

Taco Bell is offering steep discounts on lettuce-free menu items as the fast-food chain works to recover from the business impact of the cyclospora outbreak.

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite known to cause cyclosporiasis, the hallmark symptom of which is diarrhea, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cases linked to the multistate cyclospora outbreak began surfacing in May. 

The FDA said its traceback investigation identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms and sourced from central Mexico as the likely source of the outbreak. 

CYCLOSPORA OUTBREAK: IS IT STILL SAFE TO EAT AT RESTAURANTS? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Although the FDA later said a laboratory test on one lettuce sample was a false positive, the agency said its epidemiological evidence continues to support the recall of Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce.

Nine states reported cases of cyclosporiasis linked to Taco Bell. 

Taylor Farms announced that it was "voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market," the FDA reported, and Taco Bell announced in mid-July that it completed the removal of affected Taylor Farms lettuce from its restaurants.

Foot traffic at Taco Bell has dropped each day since July 13, Reuters reported. 

Shares of parent company Yum! Brands have fallen nearly 10% since July 10, according to reports.

In the wake of the outbreak, Taco Bell has been offering discounted items that exclude shredded lettuce, the ingredient tied to the outbreak investigation.

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Earlier this week, Taco Bell announced on Instagram that it would be offering its fan-favorite Mexican pizza, which is lettuce-free, for $1 for one day at participating locations. The promotion followed a $1 deal on Enchiritos and $1 regular nacho fries (for rewards members using the app), both lettuce-free menu items.

A Mexican pizza typically costs about $5.69 and contains seasoned beef, refried beans, two crispy flour tortilla shells, Mexican pizza sauce, diced tomatoes and a blend of mozzarella, pepper jack and cheddar cheese, according to Taco Bell's website.

An Enchirito is priced at $4.29, though prices vary by location. The item is made with a warm flour tortilla filled with seasoned beef, refried beans and diced onions and is smothered in a red sauce and melted shredded cheddar cheese, according to Taco Bell.

Taco Bell has been using social media to communicate with customers about the outbreak. Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant wrote a letter posted on LinkedIn "to every Taco Bell fan."

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"You have always stood by us, and we will always stand by you," he wrote. "We felt the love. Through the posts. The comments. The stories. We saw them all. The community that said, 'We've got you.' The fans who said they 'can't quit us.' We appreciate every bit of that energy. Thank you."

Taco Bell also posted a collage of supportive messages from customers on social media.

Reactions to Taco Bell's Mexican pizza promotion were generally positive on Instagram, and several people noted the menu item's lack of lettuce.

"You're just gonna keep me coming in daily aren't you," wrote one user. "I basically can't afford not to at this point!"

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"I'll risk cyclospora for this any day," wrote another.

"Considering the fact lettuce already tastes like diarrhea, I've never left you," another commented, along with a heart emoji.

Another enthusiastic customer chimed in, "Taco Bell, just wanted to let y'all know I got my cheesy beefy burrito and avocado chicken stacker and 30 Diablo hot sauce packets regardless of any lettuce issue because I'll go to the ends of the Earth for you guys. My love is unconditional and nothing will separate me from your cheesy beefy burrito and avocado chicken stacker. Yes this is my love letter to you."

Fox News Digital reached out to Taco Bell for comment.