The restaurant chain Qdoba has joined Chipotle in removing jalapeños from its menu in response to a salmonella outbreak affecting at least 27 states, as reported by health authorities.
On Wednesday, Qdoba announced its collaboration with public health officials investigating the outbreak, which has been traced back to jalapeño peppers sourced from Sinaloa, Mexico. These peppers were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to various restaurants and wholesalers, including Qdoba and Chipotle, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In a statement, the San Diego-based company said, “In an effort to prioritize customer safety, we have proactively removed jalapeños from all our locations at this time. We take any health concerns regarding our guests seriously and are dedicated to responding appropriately based on information and recommendations from public health authorities.”
As of Thursday, the CDC reported that at least 345 individuals across 27 states have contracted the Salmonella Javiana strain associated with the jalapeños, with 36 of those cases resulting in hospitalization. Fortunately, no fatalities have been recorded.
The highest number of cases has been reported in Colorado and Minnesota, with each state documenting over 110 infections. Additional cases have surfaced in states such as Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The CDC indicated that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating whether the jalapeños reached grocery stores. Consumers are encouraged to verify the source of their jalapeño peppers with the retailers where they were purchased.
In response to the outbreak, Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the affected products, as stated by the FDA.
On Tuesday, Chipotle revealed that it had removed jalapeños linked to the salmonella outbreak in Minnesota and has since substituted them with peppers from an alternative supplier.
The Minnesota Department of Health reported that among 84 residents interviewed during its investigation, 75 had dined at Chipotle. These individuals visited the restaurant between June 14 and July 14, with the majority eating there from June 24 to July 2.
According to Mayo Clinic, salmonella infection can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that typically manifest within eight to 72 hours after exposure. Most healthy individuals recover without medical intervention within a few days to a week.
Edited by Faris Tanyos
Aki Nace and Aimee Picchi contributed to this report.
