WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials are investigating the source of a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers that has sickened hundreds of people, as federal regulators continue tracing the peppers through the supply chain and assessing whether additional recalls are necessary.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local health agencies, said its investigation has linked the outbreak to fresh jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by California-based Coast Citrus Distributors. The peppers were supplied primarily to restaurants, including Mexican-style chains, according to federal officials.
As of Aug. 5, health authorities had identified 345 confirmed Salmonella Javiana infections across 27 U.S. states. Thirty-six people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, according to the CDC. Illness onset dates ranged from mid-June through late July.
The FDA said it is conducting traceback investigations, collecting samples and reviewing distribution records to determine how contaminated peppers entered the food supply and whether additional distributors or retailers may have been affected. The agency has urged consumers, restaurants and food-service operators to discard jalapeños originating from Sinaloa unless their source can be verified as unaffected, and to thoroughly clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the product to prevent cross-contamination.
Coast Citrus Distributors has recalled the implicated jalapeños. Federal officials said the recalled peppers were distributed mainly through food-service channels rather than directly to grocery stores.
Restaurant chains including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA have removed the affected jalapeños from their menus and replaced or suspended supplies while cooperating with public health authorities. Officials said there is currently no evidence of an ongoing risk to customers from food currently being served at those restaurants following the removal of the implicated product.
Salmonella infection commonly causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, with symptoms typically developing several days after exposure. Most people recover without treatment, but severe illness can occur in young children, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems, the CDC says.
The FDA said the investigation remains active and that additional findings, including any further recalls or public health recommendations, will be announced as more evidence becomes available.
