Salmonella Warning for Jalapeño Peppers

The CDC recently released an important health warning about jalapeño peppers. These peppers are linked to a Salmonella outbreak that is affecting many people. Currently, 345 people across 27 different states have become ill from the same strain of this bacteria. Out of these cases, 36 people needed hospital care, but fortunately, no deaths have been reported. The investigation shows that these specific peppers came from Sinaloa, Mexico. A company named Coast Citrus Distributors moved these products to various locations. They primarily sent the peppers to wholesale businesses and restaurants. After the company learned about the problem, they started to recall the items and told their customers to stop using them. Two major restaurant chains, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, reacted quickly to the news. They stopped serving the affected jalapeños immediately. Because they removed the products, these restaurants are not a risk to customers anymore. The FDA is now checking if these peppers were sold in grocery stores as well. If they find the peppers in stores, they will announce more recalls. If you have any of these peppers at home, you must not eat them. You should check with the place where you bought them to confirm the source. Businesses must also stop selling or serving these items and sanitize all surfaces that touched them. Most people who get sick with Salmonella experience fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually start six hours to six days after eating the bacteria. Most people recover in about a week without special treatment. However, the illness can be very dangerous for young children, older adults, and people with weak immune systems. If you have questions about your state, you should contact your local health department for more information.