U.S. health authorities are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella javiana infections linked to jalapeno peppers, with 431 confirmed cases reported across 32 states as of August 19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are leading the probe alongside state and local health departments, with illness onset dates ranging from June 19 to August 2.
The outbreak has resulted in 57 hospitalizations but no fatalities. Cases are concentrated in the Midwest, South, and West. Among 224 patients interviewed, a majority reported consuming food at Mexican-style restaurants, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA, prior to illness. Meal dates for these patients spanned June 14 to July 16.
Federal investigators traced the contaminated produce to jalapeno peppers originating from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. The company issued a recall of the implicated peppers, while Chipotle and QDOBA voluntarily stopped serving jalapenos. Taylor Farms, a California-based food-service producer, also recalled prepared items containing jalapeno peppers, such as salsa and guacamole, and suspended sourcing from the suspected Mexican supplier.
The outbreak follows a pattern of past U.S. foodborne illness incidents, including a 1985 milk-linked Salmonella outbreak with 5,770 confirmed cases and a 2008 pepper-related outbreak that sickened 1,442 people. Salmonella infections cause an estimated 1.35 million illnesses annually in the United States. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, developing within 12 to 72 hours of exposure and lasting 4 to 7 days. High-risk groups, such as young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals, are particularly vulnerable.
Health officials are also investigating a separate multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.
