U.S. public health agencies are probing a multistate Salmonella outbreak associated with jalapeno peppers imported from Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said. According to the agencies, the outbreak has resulted in 345 reported illnesses spanning 27 states.
The FDA reported that 36 people have been hospitalized and that no deaths have been recorded in connection with the outbreak. The investigation remains active as agencies work to confirm the scope and distribution of the affected produce.
Tracing efforts identified a common grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, as the source of the implicated jalapeno peppers. The peppers were distributed in the United States by Coast Citrus Distributors. The distributor has agreed to recall the remaining product traced to the shipments and is notifying customers who may have received the peppers, the FDA said.
U.S. officials indicated that several restaurants received jalapenos imported by Coast Citrus Distributors. Among those named were Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA, a Mexican-style restaurant chain. According to the FDA, Chipotle switched to a different jalapeno supplier beginning July 20. QDOBA stopped using jalapenos on July 28 and is no longer serving them.
The FDA also stated that it does not consider there to be a current ongoing risk to consumers from these identified restaurant establishments in relation to this outbreak. The agency and the CDC continue to investigate and monitor new reports of illness as they are submitted.
Context and implications
Health authorities have limited the confirmed facts to the counts of illnesses, hospitalizations and the traced supply chain elements. The recall by the distributor and the supplier changes or cessation of jalapeno use by the named restaurant chains are steps that have been reported; officials note the investigation is ongoing and further developments may be disclosed by the agencies.
For consumers and industry observers, the situation highlights the mechanisms of outbreak tracing and the immediate responses of distributors and foodservice operators named by regulators. The federal agencies have not reported additional affected products or further affected businesses beyond those already identified.