Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños Sickens 345 Across 27 States; Major Retailers Recall Products

Thirty-six people have been hospitalized as federal officials expand recalls involving salsa, guacamole, dips, burritos and other prepared foods.

UNITED STATES — Federal health officials are investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers that has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states.

Thirty-six people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Illnesses began between June 19 and July 20, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials caution that the actual number of infections is probably higher because many people recover without medical treatment or testing.

The outbreak has been linked to jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed nationwide by Coast Citrus Distributors. The peppers were initially supplied primarily to restaurants and wholesalers, but the recall has since expanded to numerous prepared foods sold in major grocery stores.

Prepared foods recalled from major retailers

Taylor Fresh Foods, commonly known as Taylor Farms, recalled dozens of products containing the affected jalapeños. The recalled items include salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, dips, salads, sandwiches and burritos.

Products were distributed to stores including Hannaford, Kroger, Stop & Shop, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Whole Foods. Depending on the product, affected packages carry “Best If Used By” dates through August 16, 2026.

The recalled Taylor Farms products were sent to retail distribution centers in:

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia.

The company said it has stopped sourcing jalapeños from the implicated grower and is filling orders through alternative suppliers. Taylor Farms said it was not aware of any illnesses directly associated with its finished products at the time of the recall. Consumers can review the complete list of products, package sizes, UPC codes and expiration dates in the FDA’s Taylor Fresh Foods recall notice.

The states receiving recalled products are not identical to the 27 states reporting outbreak illnesses. Products may have been distributed to a state even when no related infection has been confirmed there.

USDA alert covers meat and poultry products

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service also issued a public-health alert for prepared meat and poultry products containing the recalled jalapeños.

Those products include chicken wraps, burritos, sandwiches and rice bowls sold through retailers such as Kroger, Walmart, H-E-B, Albertsons and Wawa. Multiple manufacturers are involved, including Taylor Farms and Greencore/Bakkavor.

Federal officials said no illnesses have been directly linked to the meat and poultry products covered by the alert. Additional products could be identified as investigators continue tracing the distribution network. Product labels and establishment numbers are available through the USDA’s public-health alert.

Restaurant exposures central to investigation

Interviews with patients provided investigators with an important clue. Of 191 people questioned about what they ate before becoming sick, 177—or 93%—reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant.

Some patients reported eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill or QDOBA during the relevant period.

Both companies stopped serving the affected peppers. Chipotle switched suppliers at impacted restaurants beginning July 20, while QDOBA stopped using jalapeños at its restaurants on July 28. Because the recalled peppers have been removed, the CDC and FDA say the chains do not currently present an ongoing outbreak risk.

The investigation remains active as officials work to identify the full distribution of the peppers and products made with them. The latest case totals and outbreak details are available from the CDC and FDA.

What consumers should do

Consumers should check refrigerators and freezers for recalled products and examine package dates carefully. Any affected item should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

The FDA also recommends discarding frozen fresh jalapeños from the implicated supplier. Consumers who froze peppers but cannot determine where they came from should discard them as a precaution.

Containers, utensils, refrigerator shelves and other surfaces that may have touched recalled products should be thoroughly cleaned with hot, soapy water or placed in a dishwasher when appropriate.

Salmonella symptoms and warning signs

Salmonella infections commonly cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually appear between six hours and six days after exposure and generally last four to seven days.

Most people recover without treatment. However, children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems face a greater risk of severe illness.

The CDC recommends contacting a healthcare provider if symptoms include:

• Diarrhea accompanied by a fever above 102 degrees
• Diarrhea lasting more than three days without improvement
• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting that prevents the person from keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, including reduced urination, dry mouth, or dizziness when standing

This outbreak involves Salmonella-contaminated jalapeños and is separate from the previously reported Cyclospora investigation associated with iceberg lettuce. The investigations involve different foods and different pathogens.