< Back to all clusters
[HEALTH] · Mexico, United States · 10 sources

started · updated

Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeños sickens 431 people

A multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers has sickened 431 people across 32 U.S. states, according to the CDC. The contamination has resulted in 57 hospitalizations, though no deaths have been reported as of August 19.

Investigations by the FDA and CDC have traced the source of the contaminated produce to farms in Sinaloa, Mexico, which were distributed in the United States by Coast Citrus Distributors. Epidemiological data shows that 91% of interviewed patients reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant prior to falling ill, specifically naming chains such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA.

In response, Chipotle has switched its jalapeño suppliers, and QDOBA has halted the use of the ingredient across all locations. The outbreak has triggered a cascade of downstream recalls involving various retailers and food processors, including Whole Foods Market, Target, and Kroger, affecting products such as salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

This salmonella outbreak coincides with a record-breaking cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has seen over 15,700 confirmed cases in the U.S., largely linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce from Mexico. Public health experts have expressed concern that federal funding cuts and staffing reductions are hindering the ability of local and federal agencies to effectively manage these simultaneous foodborne illness surges.

Entities

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Chipotle Mexican Grill · Department of Health and Human Services · Food and Drug Administration · QDOBA · Robert F. Kennedy Jr. · Sinaloa

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.