business
Foodborne illnesses at restaurant chains are rare but can sicken customers
By Mae Anderson And Michelle Chapman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 17, 2026
· 5 min read
Big U.S. restaurant chains don't get linked to foodborne illness outbreaks often, but the number of meals they serve causes a lot of concern when contamination of some kind sickens customers.Federal health officials identified iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five stat...
Key takeaway Taco Bell issued a statement on Thursday saying that “the affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's large population and thriving food scene make outbreaks like these a concern for local health officials and residents. With numerous Taco Bell and other chain restaurant locations throughout the city, the risk of foodborne illness is ever-present. The fact that a single supplier, Taylor Farms, has been implicated in multiple outbreaks, including the current one and a previous incident involving McDonald's, raises questions about the effectiveness of food safety protocols in the supply chain. As the investigation continues, San Antonio residents may wonder if any local restaurants or grocery stores carry products from the same supplier, potentially putting them at risk. The city's health department will likely be monitoring the situation closely, and residents can expect increased scrutiny of food handling and preparation practices at local eateries.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Big U.S. restaurant chains don't get linked to foodborne illness outbreaks often, but the number of meals they serve causes a lot of concern when contamination of some kind sickens customers.Federal health officials identified iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in five stat...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Mae Anderson And Michelle Chapman, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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