Federal health officials are warning consumers not to eat certain recalled jalapeño peppers after a multistate Salmonella outbreak sickened hundreds of people across the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert Wednesday (Aug. 5) linking the outbreak to jalapeño peppers imported from Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.
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According to the CDC, 345 people in 27 states have been infected with the same strain of Salmonella, 36 have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
States with Cases: AL, AR, CA, CO, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Health officials said traceback information identified the recalled jalapeños as the likely source of the outbreak.
Coast Citrus Distributors has recalled the peppers and is notifying its customers.
The recalled jalapeños were primarily distributed to restaurants and wholesalers.
After learning of the outbreak, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba removed the affected jalapeño peppers from their restaurants.
The CDC said neither restaurant is considered an ongoing risk to consumers because the peppers have already been removed from service.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating whether the recalled peppers were also sold in grocery stores.
Additional recalls could be announced if contaminated products are identified in retail stores.
The CDC advises consumers to:
- Check with the place where they purchased jalapeño peppers to determine their source.
- Do not eat recalled jalapeño peppers if they have them at home.
- Throw away recalled peppers or return them to the place of purchase.
Restaurants and other food businesses should stop serving or selling the recalled peppers and thoroughly wash and sanitize any surfaces or equipment that may have come into contact with them, according to federal health officials.
Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that begin six hours to six days after exposure.
Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, but severe illness can require hospitalization.
Young children, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at the greatest risk for serious illness.