ATLANTA — A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana linked to fresh jalapeño peppers has sickened 345 people in 27 U.S. states, with 36 hospitalizations and no reported deaths, according to U.S. health authorities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the illnesses were reported between June 19 and July 20, with investigators tracing the outbreak to fresh jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed in the United States by Coast Citrus Distributors. The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate the peppers' distribution and the source of the contamination.
Minnesota and Colorado have reported the largest numbers of illnesses, with 110 cases each, while Illinois has reported 30 cases, according to information cited by health authorities. Cases have also been reported in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Investigators found that most interviewed patients had eaten at Mexican-style restaurants before becoming ill. The investigation identified multiple restaurant clusters, including at Chipotle and QDOBA locations, while officials also examined other common ingredients consumed by patients.
Chipotle removed jalapeños from its restaurants after identifying the peppers as a potential common ingredient and switched to supplies from other growers. QDOBA subsequently removed jalapeños from its restaurants as a precaution. Health authorities said there is no indication of an ongoing risk from the peppers at those restaurant chains after the products were removed.
Coast Citrus Distributors has initiated a recall of the implicated jalapeños, while the FDA continues to trace where the peppers were shipped. Authorities are also investigating whether the affected produce reached retail outlets, although reporting so far indicates that the peppers were primarily distributed to restaurants, wholesalers and food-service operations.
Salmonella infections commonly cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and can lead to more serious illness in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Federal and state health officials are continuing epidemiological, laboratory and traceback investigations as additional illnesses may be identified.
