CDC issues fresh jalapeno warning as Salmonella outbreak grows to 431 cases
The Make America Healthy Movement is in danger of falling apart, and while you might've thought your troubles were over and you could go back to enjoying your favorite spicy treat, there's a second warning about tainted jalapeños.
2026 got off to a rocky start in terms of health scares, with nearly 2,000 products being recalled by the Food and Drug Administration amid fears of 'rodent excreta and bird droppings'.
There was then an outbreak of Cyclospora that led to 'explosive diarrhea' and was traced to salad from Taylor Farms, while the Department of Agriculture recalled 12,000 pounds of bacon after it hadn't been checked properly.
An August 19 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that 431 people across 32 states have gotten sick from Salmonella connected to jalapeño peppers. The CDC believes the peppers were grown in Mexico and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors before being recalled.
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These jalapeños were served at the likes of Chipotle and Qdoba, with both nixing jalapeños from their menus earlier in August. Both the CDC and FDA don't consider either establishment to present an ongoing risk from this current outbreak.
Elsewhere, the aforementioned Taylor Farms was forced to recall dip and salsa products containing jalapeños, with them sold at Hannaford, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart. Whole Foods also recalled salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, and prepared foods containing potentially tainted peppers.
Cases range from June 19 to August 2, and 57 (15%) of 376 people with information available have been hospitalized. Thankfully, there have been no reported deaths.
The CDC reiterates that the jalapeño outbreak might not be limited to the 32 states reported, and the true number of those affected is likely to be much higher because many recover without needing medical care or being officially tested for Salmonella.
Added to this, recent cases might not have been reported because it can take up to a month to determine whether someone who is sick is connected to a Salmonella outbreak.
The FDA has its own update, explaining how its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) also issued a public health alert for meat and poultry products that could contain FDA-regulated jalapeños that might be contaminated with Salmonella.
We're reminded that Salmonella symptoms usually come within 12 to 72 hours, lasting between four and seven days. These include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Those under the age of five, the elderly, and patients with a weakened immune system are the most likely to suffer from severe infections.
Interestingly, out of the 431 reported cases, there's a median age of just 30.
The FDA's advice remains the same, with consumers, restaurants, and retailers warned not to eat, sell, or serve recalled products. Anyone who develops potential Salmonella symptoms after eating a jalapeño dish should contact their healthcare provider.
Surfaces that might've been touched by recalled products should be immediately sanitized by following the FDA's safe handling and cleaning advice.
While the jalapeños situation is an obvious cause for concern, it's minor compared to the cyclosporiasis.
At the current count, over 15,700 cases have been confirmed in 47 states and have risen by more than 1,800 from the week before.
Nearly 12,000 other cases are under investigation as the general public and health officials alike continue to point fingers.