Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeño Peppers Spreads Across 27 States
A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, according to an August 6 alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty-six people have been hospitalized. Investigators identified peppers distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors as the likely source.
The peppers were served at several restaurants, including Chipotle and Qdoba. Minnesota and Colorado have each reported at least 110 cases. In Minnesota, Kristen Behne has sued Chipotle, alleging that she became ill after eating a chicken burrito bowl at a Roseville location in late June. Behne said she developed a 102°F fever and was hospitalized with sepsis.
Chipotle said it removed jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus from restaurants nationwide and replaced them with peppers from other growers. Qdoba removed all jalapeños from its restaurants as a precaution. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration said they do not consider either restaurant chain to pose a continuing risk.
Coast Citrus has agreed to recall the implicated peppers and is contacting affected customers, the FDA said. Officials are also investigating whether contaminated peppers reached grocery stores. The broader outbreak investigation remains underway.
Salmonella typically spreads through contaminated food or water. Symptoms commonly include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps beginning six hours to six days after exposure. Most patients recover within four to seven days without treatment, but infections can become severe, particularly among young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Health officials recommend seeking medical care for a fever above 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than three days, bloody diarrhea, or signs of dehydration. Separate ongoing federal investigations are examining Salmonella outbreaks associated with eggs and backyard poultry. The country is also experiencing a record cyclosporiasis outbreak that has sickened thousands and caused two reported deaths in Michigan.