The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that a salmonella outbreak, potentially linked to imported jalapeno peppers from Mexico, has spread across 27 states.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing international media reports, federal authorities are currently investigating 345 confirmed cases of illness associated with the outbreak.
The CDC statement indicates that the contaminated jalapeno peppers were imported from Mexico by the California-based distributor Coast Citrus. These products were subsequently supplied to various food service establishments, including major chains such as Chipotle and Qdoba.
While 36 individuals have required hospitalization due to the infection, health officials have reported no fatalities at this time. The highest concentration of cases has been identified in Minnesota and Colorado, with 110 infections reported in each state. Additional cases have been confirmed in Illinois (30) and Kansas (13), with further reports emerging from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
In response to the public health risk, major restaurant chains have implemented precautionary measures. Chipotle has announced the temporary removal of jalapeno peppers from its menu, while Qdoba has proactively withdrawn the product from all its locations.
Salmonella is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. It is typically contracted through contaminated food or water. The CDC continues to monitor the situation closely, advising consumers to remain vigilant regarding food safety recalls as the investigation into the supply chain continues.
