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Jalapeños linked to a U.S. salmonella outbreak are tracked to a Mexican farm and a distributor
PBS • • business
Key Points:
- Jalapeño peppers linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak have been traced to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, with at least 345 people in 27 states sickened and 36 hospitalized, though no deaths reported.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified Coast Citrus Distributors as the importer of the contaminated peppers, which have been recalled, affecting major Mexican food chains like Chipotle and Qdoba.
- Chipotle and Qdoba have removed jalapeños from their menus, and the CDC stated these actions mitigate ongoing risk to consumers; Sweetgreen also removed jalapeños amid concerns linked to fresh produce safety.
- The FDA is investigating whether contaminated jalapeños reached grocery stores and may announce further recalls; Mexican authorities are conducting an investigation at a packing plant in Nuevo Leon.
- The outbreak has negatively impacted stock prices of Chipotle and Sweetgreen, reflecting consumer concerns about food safety amid ongoing issues with fresh produce contamination.
