WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal health officials are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, that has sickened 345 people across 27 states and hospitalized 36, prompting a recall and removals by major restaurant chains.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported no deaths in the outbreak. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence identified jalapeños distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors as the source.
The peppers were primarily distributed to restaurants and wholesale customers, according to the CDC. Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall affected jalapeños and notify customers.
Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba stopped serving the affected peppers after being notified of the outbreak. Qdoba has also stopped serving jalapeños entirely for now.
Because the affected product has been removed from those restaurants, the CDC and Food and Drug Administration do not consider either chain a current ongoing risk to consumers in connection with the outbreak.
The FDA is still determining whether the recalled jalapeños were also distributed to grocery stores. Additional recalls could follow if investigators confirm retail distribution.
Consumers who have recalled jalapeños at home should not eat them and should check with the place of purchase to confirm the peppers’ source.
Businesses should not sell or serve recalled jalapeños and should wash and sanitize surfaces and equipment that may have come into contact with the peppers.
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps between six hours and six days after exposure, according to the CDC. Illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.
Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness.
The investigation remains open.
More information is available at https://www.cdc.gov/Salmonella/outbreaks/javiana-08-26/index.html.
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