Key facts
- Chipotle Mexican Grill removed jalapenos from some restaurants due to a potential link to a salmonella outbreak.
- The outbreak in Minnesota has sickened 45 people, with five requiring hospitalization.
- Chipotle is cooperating with Minnesota health officials on their investigation.
- Chipotle shares fell approximately 7% in afternoon trading.
Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants after identifying them as a potential ingredient tied to a salmonella outbreak in Minnesota. The outbreak has sickened 45 people, leading to five hospitalizations. The company stated it began tracing ingredients through its supply chain after learning of the potential outbreak and identified jalapeños from a common lot as a possible source. Out of an abundance of caution, Chipotle proactively removed the jalapeños and replaced them with product from different growers, adding that it is cooperating with public health authorities investigating the outbreak. Shares of Chipotle fell 7% in Tuesday afternoon trading. The outbreak is separate from a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has affected nine states and sickened more than 6,700 people nationwide.