Topic overview
In brief
- At least 345 individuals across 27 states have reported illnesses linked to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico.
- 93% of those interviewed in the outbreak investigation consumed food from Mexican-style restaurants.
- The outbreak has led to significant stock price drops for affected restaurant chains, raising concerns about food safety.
Summary
In the United States, a significant salmonella outbreak has been traced back to jalapeño peppers sourced from a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. Federal officials reported that at least 345 individuals across 27 states have fallen ill due to this outbreak, with the majority of cases concentrated in Minnesota and Colorado. While no fatalities have been recorded, 36 people have been hospitalized as a result of the infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the contaminated peppers were imported into the U.S. by Coast Citrus Distributors, which has since initiated a recall and is notifying its customers, including several well-known Mexican food restaurant chains.
The outbreak investigation revealed that a staggering 93% of the 191 individuals interviewed reported consuming food from Mexican-style restaurants, particularly Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, between June 14 and July 14. In response to the health crisis, Chipotle has removed jalapeños from some of its locations, while Qdoba has proactively taken similar measures across all its restaurants. The CDC has stated that due to these actions, neither restaurant is currently considered a risk to consumers. Additionally, the salad chain Sweetgreen has also eliminated jalapeños from its menu, which are used in two of its dressings.