Jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak sickens 431 across 32 states
Key Takeaways
- •The outbreak has grown to 431 illnesses and 57 hospitalizations across 32 states, up from 345 cases, 36 hospitalizations, and 27 states earlier this month, with no deaths reported.
- •The outbreak has been traced to jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, which agreed to recall remaining implicated product and stop importing from the linked grower.
- •Chipotle switched jalapeño suppliers at affected locations on July 20 and Qdoba stopped using jalapeños at all restaurants on July 28, actions the FDA says ended ongoing risk at those establishments.
- •Downstream recalls include NatureBest and H-E-B products, items from Taylor Fresh Foods and Whole Foods, jalapeños from Hardie's Fresh Foods, and at least 18 ready-to-eat meat and poultry products sold at retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, and Albertsons.
- •Of 224 people interviewed, 91% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming ill, and investigators identified 28 illness clusters tied to restaurants across eight states.
A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers has sickened 431 people and hospitalized 57 across 32 states, according to federal health officials.
The latest figures reflect an increase of 86 illnesses, 21 hospitalizations and five states from earlier this month, when the outbreak was reported at 345 cases, 36 hospitalizations and 27 states.
No deaths have been reported.
Federal health officials said the outbreak is likely larger than the confirmed case count because people with mild infections often recover without seeking medical care or getting tested. They also said recent illnesses can take several weeks to be linked to an outbreak.
The outbreak has been tied to jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed in the U.S. by Coast Citrus Distributors. The peppers have triggered recalls of prepared foods and ready-to-eat products sold by major retailers, showing how a single ingredient can quickly affect both restaurants and grocery-store supply chains.
Of 224 people interviewed during the investigation, 91% said they ate at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming sick. Federal health officials have identified 28 illness clusters connected to restaurants across eight states.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus Distributors from the Sinaloa grower linked to the outbreak.
Chipotle began switching its jalapeño supplier for affected locations on July 20 and is no longer serving the relevant product. Qdoba stopped using jalapeños at all of its restaurants on July 28.
The FDA said those actions mean there is no current ongoing outbreak risk to consumers eating at those establishments.
People who became sick range in age from 1 to 85 years old. Illnesses began between June 19 and Aug. 2, while meals associated with the restaurant investigation were eaten between June 14 and July 16.
The outbreak has also led to an expanding series of recalls involving products made with the affected jalapeños.
NatureBest Precut & Produce voluntarily recalled certain NatureBest and H-E-B products on Aug. 8, including pico de gallo, soup mix, stuffed mushrooms and diced jalapeños. The products were distributed to retail locations in Texas and Louisiana from July 3 through Aug. 5.
Other downstream recalls listed by the FDA include products from Taylor Fresh Foods and Whole Foods, as well as jalapeños distributed by Hardie’s Fresh Foods.
The outbreak previously prompted a public health alert covering at least 18 ready-to-eat meat and poultry products containing recalled jalapeños. Those products included wraps, bowls and salads sold through major retailers including Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Wawa, Hannaford, RaceTrac and Dillons.
Federal regulators previously said there were no confirmed illnesses linked specifically to the recalled meat and poultry products.
Coast Citrus Distributors agreed to recall the remaining implicated product and stop importing jalapeños from the grower linked to the outbreak, according to the FDA.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, with symptoms typically beginning six hours to six days after infection. Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment.
Severe illness can occur, particularly among young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. FOX Business' Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
