Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeno peppers sickens 345 people across 27 US states: What we know

A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana infections in the United States has sickened 345 people across 27 states, with health authorities linking the illnesses to fresh jalapeno peppers imported from Mexico.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with state and local health departments, are investigating the outbreak.

According to the FDA, reported illnesses began between June 19 and July 20. As of August 5, 36 people had been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.


The cases have been reported across the Midwest, South and West, indicating that the affected peppers were distributed across a wide area.

What is Salmonella and what are the symptoms?

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause salmonellosis, a common foodborne illness.

People infected with Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and usually last four to seven days.

While many people recover without serious complications, the infection can be more severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

The CDC estimates that Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections in the US each year.

Where did the contaminated jalapenos come from?

Investigators have linked the outbreak to fresh jalapeno peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico.

The peppers were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to distributors, restaurants and food-service companies in the United States, including Mexican-style restaurants.

After being notified about the outbreak, Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA stopped serving affected jalapeno peppers. QDOBA restaurants are also no longer serving jalapeno peppers.

Among patients interviewed by investigators, a large majority said they had eaten at Mexican-style restaurants before becoming sick. Some reported eating at Chipotle and QDOBA.

The reported meal dates ranged from June 14 to July 14.

Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the jalapeno peppers linked to the outbreak.

Taylor Farms also recalls products

The investigation has also prompted Taylor Farms to recall prepared food items containing jalapeno peppers, including salsa and guacamole sold by retailers, because of concerns about possible Salmonella contamination.

The California-based supplier has stopped sourcing from a farmer in Sinaloa, Mexico, after the farm was identified as a possible source of the outbreak.

The FDA said the affected products have been removed from stores and that it does not consider there to be a current ongoing risk from those establishments to consumers in this outbreak.

The agency is continuing to work with Coast Citrus Distributors to determine the full distribution of the affected peppers.

What should consumers do?

The FDA has advised distributors, restaurants and food-service operators not to sell or serve fresh jalapeno peppers imported from Sinaloa, Mexico, by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Recalled jalapenos that may have been frozen should also be discarded. The FDA has advised consumers to throw away fresh jalapenos from Sinaloa if their supplier cannot be confirmed.

People who recently ate at a Mexican-style restaurant and have since developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical care.

Restaurants and retailers have also been advised to carefully clean and sanitize surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with the affected peppers. This is intended to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

How is the outbreak being investigated?

The CDC, FDA and state and local health departments are coordinating surveillance and investigation efforts.

Investigators are using epidemiological interviews, laboratory testing and food traceback investigations to determine where contamination occurred and track the distribution of the affected peppers.

The FDA is also testing samples, reviewing distribution records and overseeing recalls as part of efforts to prevent potentially contaminated products from reaching consumers.

Salmonella outbreaks have caused major food safety incidents before

Salmonella remains one of the leading causes of foodborne illness in the United States.

The US has experienced several major Salmonella outbreaks over the years. A 1985 outbreak linked to milk caused 5,770 culture-confirmed cases, while a 2010 outbreak associated with eggs resulted in 3,578 reported illnesses.

In 2008, an outbreak traced to contaminated jalapeno and serrano peppers sickened 1,442 people.

The latest outbreak has so far resulted in 345 illnesses across 27 states, but the investigation remains ongoing as health authorities continue tracing the contaminated peppers and related products.