Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Mexican Restaurants and Jalapeños

A multistate salmonella outbreak, which has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, has been traced to jalapeño peppers originating from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Wednesday that the affected jalapeños were imported into the United States by Coast Citrus Distributors. This company has since initiated a recall of the peppers and is in the process of informing its customer base, which includes several well-known Mexican food restaurant chains. Coast Citrus Distributors did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Of the 191 individuals interviewed as part of the outbreak investigation, a significant majority—177, or 93%—reported having consumed food at a Mexican-style restaurant between June 14 and July 14. Prominent among these establishments were Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba. In response to the outbreak, Chipotle Mexican Grill stated on Tuesday that it had removed jalapeños from some of its locations. Qdoba announced on Wednesday that it had proactively taken jalapeños out of all of its restaurants. CDC officials issued a statement indicating that due to these actions, neither Chipotle nor Qdoba are considered ongoing risks to consumers in relation to this specific outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating whether any of the implicated jalapeños were distributed to grocery stores. Health officials have indicated that the FDA may announce further actions concerning recalls on its dedicated webpage. Mexican health authorities have also launched their own investigation, including a site visit on Thursday to a packing plant located in the northern state of Nuevo Leon. Salmonella bacteria are a common cause of foodborne illness, leading to approximately 1.35 million infections in the United States annually. Previous outbreaks have been associated with various food items, including cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, fresh basil, and even reptiles such as geckos and pet bearded dragons. Symptoms of salmonella infection typically appear within hours to days after exposure to the bacteria. The current outbreak has seen the highest number of cases reported in Minnesota and Colorado. While no fatalities have been reported, 36 individuals have required hospitalization due to the severity of their illness. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the contamination and to prevent further spread.