93% of jalapeno salmonella problems came from Mexican restaurants including Chipotle and Qdoba, officials say

A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers has been traced back to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, according to federal officials. The outbreak has affected at least 345 people across 27 states, with the majority of cases occurring in Minnesota and Colorado. No deaths have been reported, but 36 individuals have been hospitalized.

The salmonella strain originated from jalapeños distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, which has recalled the peppers and notified its customers, including several prominent Mexican food restaurant chains. A CDC investigation found that 177 out of 191 interviewed individuals, or 93%, reported consuming jalapeños at Mexican-style restaurants from June 14 to July 14.

Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba have both removed jalapeños from their establishments in response to the outbreak, and they are not currently considered a risk to consumers. The FDA is investigating whether any jalapeños were distributed to grocery stores and may announce further actions on their recall webpage. Mexico health officials have also launched an investigation and conducted a field visit to a packing plant in Nuevo Leon.

Salmonella bacteria cause around 1.35 million infections in the United States annually, with sources including cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, fresh basil, geckos, and pet bearded dragons. Symptoms typically appear within hours or days of exposure and include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, lasting four to seven days. High-risk groups include young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

Chipotle's stock experienced a nearly 10% drop on Tuesday following the news, but it has not recovered. Inflation and recent food safety concerns may have contributed to reduced foot traffic at fast-casual chains like Chipotle.