Federal officials have traced a multistate salmonella outbreak to jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. This outbreak has resulted in at least 345 individuals in 27 U.S. states falling ill. Notably, most cases have emerged in Minnesota and Colorado. No fatalities have occurred, but 36 individuals required hospitalization.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that the implicated chili peppers were imported to the U.S. by Coast Citrus Distributors. The company has since recalled the peppers and informed its clients, including several major Mexican food restaurant chains. Coast Citrus Distributors has not responded to requests for comments.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that out of 191 people interviewed in the outbreak investigation, 177, or 93%, reported eating at Mexican-style restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba from June 14 to July 14. Chipotle has already removed jalapeños from some outlets while Qdoba has withdrawn them entirely.
“Given their actions to remove product from their stores, neither of these establishments are considered a current ongoing risk to consumers in this outbreak,” CDC officials commented.
Salad chain Sweetgreen has also withdrawn jalapeños from its offerings where they featured as ingredients in two of its 15 dressings. This is yet another blow for Sweetgreen, which reported a decline in sales in July due to customer worries over a cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce. Sweetgreen does not sell iceberg lettuce but recognizes customer unease regarding fresh produce.
The FDA is currently exploring if any of the jalapeños were distributed to grocery stores. Further actions might be announced on its recalls webpage. Health authorities in Mexico have initiated an investigation and conducted an inspection at a packing plant in Nuevo Leon.
Annually, salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections in the U.S., with outbreaks sometimes linked to cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, fresh basil, geckos, and pet bearded dragons. Symptoms, emerging hours or days after exposure, include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Illness typically lasts four to seven days, with most recovering without treatment. However, young children, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems face greater risks for severe illness.
Chipotle, based in Newport Beach, California, saw its share value decrease by nearly 10% on Tuesday, with no subsequent recovery. Sweetgreen shares fell 14% in after-hours trading on Thursday.
Associated Press reporter Fabiola Sanchez from Mexico City contributed to this article. The AP Health and Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, though it maintains sole responsibility for the content.