396. The Removal

Taco Bell has announced the removal of some ingredients from its menu. This has come about because a parasite is spreading rapidly through the United States, and the parasite has been linked to what health authorities are describing as "explosive" diarrhea. Taco Bell has removed some ingredients as a precautionary measure. The company wants it known that the removal is happening.

The parasite in question infects the small intestine, where it interferes with the absorption of nutrients and causes, among other symptoms, what health authorities are describing as explosive diarrhea. People become infected by consuming contaminated food or water. The parasite then takes up residence in the intestine and does what parasites do, which is to use the host's body for its own purposes while providing nothing the host would have agreed to.

(I am not going to make the obvious comparison. Anyone who has been to a Taco Bell after midnight and found themselves in a condition they would describe as explosive is already making that comparison themselves. The comparison does not need my help. I simply note that this particular parasite has chosen a destination with some experience in gastrointestinal outcomes, and that the destination has responded by removing some ingredients.)

Taco Bell has not specified which ingredients have been removed, or from which items, or how long they will remain removed. The company has stated the removal is precautionary. This means Taco Bell has identified specific ingredients it believes might be connected to the parasite's presence in its supply chain, and has removed them while the situation continues to develop. The menu is currently smaller. The parasite is currently in the country. These are the two facts that are certain.

The ingredients will presumably return when the situation is resolved. The parasite will presumably move on to other food sources when its current ones are unavailable. Both parties have approaches to removal that they are currently executing. Taco Bell would prefer the public to know that its removals are precautionary. The parasite has not issued a statement.