Jalapeño Peppers in Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Mexico

Federal officials have traced jalapeño peppers connected to a salmonella outbreak to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. The outbreak has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states. Minnesota and Colorado report the highest number of cases. Although no fatalities have occurred, 36 individuals required hospitalization.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that Coast Citrus Distributors imported the peppers into the U.S. The company is recalling the peppers and informing its clients, which include popular Mexican food chains. Coast Citrus Distributors has yet to respond to an inquiry for comment.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that interviews with 191 affected individuals revealed 177, or 93%, had consumed food at Mexican-style restaurants between June 14 and July 14. Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba are among the named establishments. Chipotle removed jalapeños from certain restaurants, while Qdoba proactively removed them from all locations.

“Given their actions to remove product from their stores, neither of these establishments are considered a current ongoing risk to consumers in this outbreak,” said CDC officials.

Salad chain Sweetgreen also removed jalapeños from its menu. This follows a drop in sales tied to customer worries over a recent cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce. Despite Sweetgreen not offering iceberg lettuce, the concern for fresh produce remains.

The FDA is checking if any jalapeños reached grocery stores and may update its recall announcements. Mexican health authorities have initiated an investigation and visited a packing plant in Nuevo Leon.

Salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections annually in the U.S. Past outbreaks have come from cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, fresh basil, and even pets like geckos and bearded dragons. Symptoms appear within hours to days of exposure, including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, lasting four to seven days. Most recover without medical intervention, though young children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems may experience severe illness.

The outbreak has impacted the stock market, with shares of Chipotle falling nearly 10% and Sweetgreen shares dropping 14% in after-hours trading.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department produced this content with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP retains sole responsibility for the article’s contents.