Multistate salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers under investigation

Aug 7, 2026

U.S. health authorities are investigating a multistate outbreak of salmonella javiana infections linked to fresh jalapeño peppers imported from Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. As of August 5, 2026, the outbreak has sickened 345 people across 27 states, resulting in 36 hospitalizations and no deaths. Major restaurant chains Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA have stopped serving the affected peppers, and Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the products.

Multistate salmonella outbreak investigation

▪U.S. health authorities, including the CDC and FDA, are investigating a multistate outbreak of salmonella javiana infections linked to fresh jalapeno peppers.
▪The salmonella outbreak investigation occurs alongside a separate multistate Cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.
▪The FDA reported that illnesses from the salmonella javiana outbreak began between June 19 and July 20, 2026.

Contaminated jalapeño pepper recall

▪Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the jalapeno peppers linked to the multistate salmonella outbreak.
▪The salmonella javiana infections have been linked to jalapeno peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.
▪The FDA advised distributors, restaurants, and food service operators to discard or not sell fresh jalapenos imported from Sinaloa, Mexico, by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Outbreak case numbers

▪As of August 5, 2026, 345 people across 27 states in the Midwest, South, and West have fallen ill with the salmonella strain linked to jalapenos.
▪Salmonella causes an estimated 1.35 million infections each year in the United States, according to the CDC.
▪Out of the 345 people infected in the salmonella outbreak, 36 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported as of August 5, 2026.

Restaurant response actions

▪Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA stopped serving the affected jalapeno peppers after being notified of the salmonella outbreak.
▪A large majority of interviewed patients reported eating at Mexican-style restaurants, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA, between June 14 and July 14, 2026.
▪The FDA stated there is no current ongoing risk to consumers from Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA as the affected jalapenos have been removed.

Salmonella infection treatment

▪Common remedies for severe or high-risk salmonella infections include antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, azithromycin, and third-generation cephalosporins.
▪The FDA advised consumers who recently dined at a Mexican-style restaurant and became ill to seek immediate medical care.

FDA surveillance efforts

▪The CDC, FDA, and state and local public health agencies are using epidemiological interviews, laboratory testing, and food traceback investigations to monitor the outbreak.
▪The FDA is conducting traceback efforts, testing samples, reviewing distribution records, and overseeing recalls to prevent additional contaminated products from reaching consumers.