FDA links Salmonella outbreak to fresh jalapeños

The FDA and CDC have linked the outbreak of Salmonella Javiana infections to jalapeños distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. The peppers originated from a growing operation in Sinaloa, Mexico, according to the FDA alert published Aug. 5

According to the FDA, 345 people have been infected with the outbreak strain, including 36 people who have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Illness onset dates range from June 19 to July 20.

Of 191 people interviewed as part of the investigation, 177 — or 93% — reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming ill, according to the FDA. The agency said Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA were among the restaurants identified during interviews.

Traceback identifies common grower

The FDA conducted a traceback investigation using information about where people reported eating during the period of interest. Investigators identified a common grower in Sinaloa that supplied jalapeños to Coast Citrus Distributors as the likely source of the outbreak.

The FDA subsequently recommended that Coast Citrus Distributors conduct a recall. The distributor agreed to recall remaining implicated product and is working to identify and contact affected customers, according to the agency. Coast Citrus is no longer importing jalapeños from the grower identified in the investigation.

The recalled fresh jalapeños were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants and foodservice companies nationwide. The FDA said Coast Citrus does not appear to have supplied the peppers directly to grocery stores.

Chipotle began switching jalapeño suppliers at affected locations July 20 and is no longer serving implicated product, according to the FDA. QDOBA stopped using the jalapeños July 28. Because of those actions, the FDA said it does not consider the restaurants to represent a continuing risk to consumers from the outbreak.

FDA advises businesses to check supply

Distributors, restaurants and foodservice operators that have fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa imported by Coast Citrus Distributors should not sell or serve the peppers, according to the FDA.

Businesses that cannot determine the origin of their jalapeños should work with suppliers to establish their source. Product should be discarded if it came from Sinaloa and was distributed by Coast Citrus.

The FDA also advises businesses to thoroughly clean and sanitize surfaces and containers that contacted recalled peppers to reduce the possibility of cross-contamination.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the FDA said it will provide additional information as it becomes available.