Key facts
- A Salmonella outbreak is linked to Mexican jalapeno peppers.
- 345 people have been sickened in the outbreak.
- The outbreak has affected 27 U.S. states.
- Coast Citrus Distributors has recalled the contaminated jalapeno peppers.
- Chipotle has removed jalapenos from its menus.
- Qdoba has removed jalapenos from its menus.
- Health officials are investigating the source of contamination.
A significant Salmonella outbreak, traced to Mexican jalapeno peppers, has impacted 345 individuals across 27 states within the United States. The supplier, Coast Citrus Distributors, has responded by issuing a recall for the affected peppers. In response to the outbreak, several prominent restaurant chains have taken precautionary measures. Chipotle and Qdoba, two well-known fast-casual Mexican restaurants, have removed jalapeno peppers from their menus to mitigate the risk of further contamination and illness. Health officials are actively engaged in an investigation to pinpoint the exact source of the Salmonella contamination within the jalapeno supply chain. The ongoing investigation aims to understand how the peppers became contaminated and to implement measures to prevent future occurrences of foodborne illness linked to this product. The number of affected states highlights the widespread nature of the outbreak and the potential for broad public health impact.