A Salmonella outbreak connected to jalapeños sourced from Mexico has expanded to 27 states, prompting restaurant chains like Chipotle and Qdoba to remove the peppers from their menus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is monitoring the situation, which has so far resulted in 345 reported illnesses and 36 hospitalizations.
Colorado and Minnesota have reported the highest number of cases, with 110 each. In Minnesota, 89% of those sickened reported eating at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14. Other states with confirmed cases include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
No deaths have been reported in connection with the Salmonella outbreak. Coast Citrus Distributors, the supplier of the jalapeños, has stated it will issue a recall, according to the CDC. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating whether the contaminated jalapeños reached grocery store shelves.
Salmonella infections typically occur from consuming contaminated animal products or produce, with common symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. This outbreak follows a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak, which has sickened over 22,000 people and hospitalized more than 500 nationwide, with a significant number of cases in Michigan.