Hundreds sickened in 27 US states by salmonella-tainted jalapeños linked to Chipotle and QDOBA

Published Aug 6, 04:27 PM UTC

A salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, has sickened hundreds of people across 27 U.S. states, with 36 hospitalized. The CDC traced the contaminated peppers to Coast Citrus Distributors, which supplied wholesale clients including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA. Both restaurant chains have removed the affected jalapeños from their combined 4,850 U.S. locations, and the CDC states there is no ongoing risk to customers. The peppers were used in guacamole, pico de gallo, and chili-corn salsas. The FDA is investigating whether the peppers were also sold directly to consumers in grocery stores. The article also provides background on salmonella, noting it sickens about 1.35 million Americans annually, and references a 2021 outbreak linked to onions from Mexico that sickened over 1,000 people. It clarifies that this outbreak is unrelated to a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to Taylor Farms.