Jalapeño Salmonella Outbreak Hits 431 Cases, 32 States

A salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeños has grown to 431 cases across 32 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update Wednesday — up 86 cases from a week earlier.

Fifty-seven people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The Food and Drug Administration has traced the peppers to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, which recalled the product. The investigation is still open.

What Is Recalled

The jalapeños reached grocery stores both whole and inside prepared foods. Companies that have recalled products made with them include Taylor Fresh Foods — the parent of Taylor Farms — along with Whole Foods, HEB and NatureBrand. Recalled items include salsas, pico de gallo, guacamole, stuffed mushrooms and soups.

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has also issued a public health alert covering various meat and poultry products made with the FDA-regulated jalapeños.

Do not eat recalled product. Full item lists are posted by each retailer and by the FDA.

The Restaurant Link

Ninety-one percent of sickened people who were interviewed reported eating at a Mexican restaurant before falling ill, including Chipotle and Qdoba, according to the FDA. Both chains received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Chipotle switched jalapeño suppliers at affected stores beginning July 20 and is no longer serving the affected product. Qdoba stopped using jalapeños in its stores on July 28.

The FDA says it does not consider there to be an ongoing risk from those restaurants because of the steps they took.

Symptoms and When to Call a Doctor

The most common symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, starting six hours to six days after eating contaminated food. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

Older adults, infants and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get seriously ill.

Anyone who may have eaten a recalled product should contact a health care provider if they have diarrhea with a fever above 102 degrees, diarrhea lasting more than two days, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting severe enough to prevent keeping liquids down or causing signs of dehydration.