Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeños sickens 345 in US

A salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños from Mexico has sickened 345 people across 27 US states, with 36 hospitalizations and no reported deaths, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The jalapeños were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors and traced to growers in Sinaloa, Mexico, with a packing facility in Nuevo León also under investigation. Source: infobae Source: euronewses

The response

Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA have removed the affected jalapeños from their restaurants, and the CDC says there is no ongoing risk to consumers at these chains. Source: clarin Source: euronewses Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the implicated peppers and notify its customers. Source: excelsiormx The FDA is investigating whether the jalapeños also reached supermarkets, which could lead to additional recalls. Source: diariolibree

The investigation

Mexican health authorities, including Cofepris and Senasica, are conducting inspections and testing samples for E. coli and Salmonella spp. at the packing facility in Nuevo León. Source: heraldomx The FDA's traceback identified the packer in Nuevo León and producers in Sinaloa as the presumed source. Source: infobae The CDC notes that the actual number of cases is likely higher than reported, as many people recover without seeking medical care. Source: cnn

What's next

Health officials recommend that businesses check their inventory for recalled jalapeños and avoid selling or serving them. Source: euronewses The investigation is ongoing, and the FDA may announce further recalls if supermarket distribution is confirmed. Source: diariolibree This outbreak coincides with a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce from Mexico, which has caused over 11,000 possible cases. Source: infobae