Do not eat these products: USDA alert expands jalapeño salmonella warning
Federal food safety officials issued a public health alert Saturday for multiple meat and poultry products made with recalled jalapeños that may be contaminated with salmonella.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said the alert covers FSIS-regulated products containing Food and Drug Administration-regulated jalapeños that were recalled as part of an ongoing investigation. The agency said more products are expected to be identified as the ingredient recall progresses and urged consumers to check updates frequently.
The warning follows an outbreak of salmonella javiana infections linked to fresh jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to wholesalers, restaurants and food-service companies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 345 people in 27 states had been infected as of Aug. 4, including 36 who were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Federal investigators said epidemiologic and traceback evidence points to the jalapeños as the source of the outbreak. Of 191 people interviewed by health officials, 177 reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming ill, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba. As Straight Arrow previously reported, both chains removed the affected peppers from their restaurants, and federal officials said they do not consider the chains to pose a current ongoing risk in connection with the outbreak.
FSIS said it learned of the problem after the Food and Drug Administration notified the agency that multiple FSIS-regulated establishments had received a recalled ingredient. The public health alert includes products sold under several brands and distributed through major retailers and convenience stores. The agency said some products may still be in consumers’ or retailers’ refrigerators or freezers.
Consumers who bought affected products should not eat them, FSIS said. Retailers should not sell or serve them. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever within six hours to six days after a contaminated food is eaten. Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, but severe illness can occur, especially in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
FSIS said there have been no confirmed illnesses tied specifically to the FSIS-regulated meat and poultry products containing the recalled jalapeños. Health officials said anyone with severe symptoms, signs of dehydration or concerns about illness should contact a health care provider.
The CDC said the true number of people sickened is likely higher than reported because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella. The investigation remains open, and federal agencies said updates will be posted as more products and distribution details are identified.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
