Key facts
- Chipotle, Chopt, Sweetgreen, and Just Salad have confirmed they do not serve iceberg lettuce.
- The cyclospora outbreak has been linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce.
- The outbreak has led to over 800 confirmed cases in 31 states.
- Location data suggests a decline in foot traffic at some affected salad chains.
- Iceberg lettuce has a history of criticism regarding its nutritional content.
Salad chains are emphasizing their exclusion of iceberg lettuce in response to a cyclospora outbreak linked to the leafy green. Chipotle, Chopt, Sweetgreen, and Just Salad have all issued statements assuring customers that their menus do not feature iceberg lettuce, aiming to differentiate themselves from the source of the contamination.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has connected the ongoing cyclospora outbreak to iceberg lettuce, leading to hundreds of confirmed cases and numerous investigations across 31 states since May 1. The parasite, typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, causes severe diarrhea.
Location data analytics firm Placer.ai reported a decline in foot traffic for some of these chains following the outbreak. Chipotle saw a nearly 7% decrease in visits compared to the earlier weekday average, while Chopt experienced a 14.3% drop. Sweetgreen had a smaller 1.4% decline.
This incident adds to a history of negative publicity for iceberg lettuce, which has been criticized for its low nutritional value and flavor. In 2016, Chick-fil-A's head of innovation noted that iceberg lettuce has "no nutritional value." However, some nutritionists acknowledge its crispness, fiber content, and hydration benefits.