Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños Expands to 431 Cases Across 32 States

A growing Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers has sickened at least 431 people across 32 U.S. states, with dozens hospitalized, according to the latest federal health updates.

The outbreak has now grown by 86 illnesses, 21 hospitalizations, and five states since the previous case count, raising fresh concerns about contaminated produce reaching restaurants, grocery stores, and prepared-food counters.

At least 57 people have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported.

Where the Jalapeño Salmonella Outbreak Came From

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have identified fresh jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors as the likely source of the outbreak.

The peppers were distributed to restaurants and food suppliers nationwide. Major Mexican-style restaurant chains, including Chipotle and Qdoba, removed fresh jalapeños from their menus after the outbreak emerged.

The contamination has also triggered a wider recall of prepared foods containing the peppers.

Potentially affected products include salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, and other refrigerated foods.

Grocery Products Pulled From Stores

The recall chain has expanded beyond restaurants, with products containing the affected jalapeños pulled from multiple retailers.

Recalled items have been associated with brands and retailers including Hannaford, Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Whole Foods.

Whole Foods recalled selected salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods containing the peppers in 12 states. The affected products reportedly carried best-before or use-by dates ranging from August 7 through August 16, 2026.

Additional recalls have involved products distributed by companies including Taylor Fresh Foods, Hardie’s Fresh Foods and NatureBest.

Consumers should check current FDA recall notices before eating or serving any recalled product.

Salmonella Symptoms Can Appear Within Days

Salmonella is a bacterial infection commonly transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms can begin as soon as several hours after exposure, although they can take several days to appear.

Common Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, and loss of appetite.

Most people recover within four to seven days, but salmonella infections can become serious, particularly for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

The CDC has warned that the current case count could rise further because foodborne illnesses can take several weeks to diagnose, investigate, and officially report.

Another Major Foodborne Illness Outbreak Is Also Spreading

The jalapeño outbreak comes amid another significant food safety concern in the United States involving cyclospora, a parasite associated with contaminated fresh produce.

More than 15,700 cyclosporiasis cases have been confirmed across 47 states and Washington, D.C., according to the latest figures cited in the supplied health updates.

Health officials have linked the outbreak primarily to iceberg lettuce, though they have investigated other potential sources.

The two outbreaks highlight the challenges facing food safety officials as contaminated fresh produce moves through complex supply chains before reaching restaurants and supermarkets.

What Consumers Should Do

People who purchased fresh jalapeños or prepared foods containing them should check federal and retailer recall announcements before consuming the products.

Consumers should not eat recalled food, and they should discard potentially contaminated products according to recall instructions.

Anyone who develops severe or persistent symptoms after eating potentially contaminated food should seek medical advice.

With 431 confirmed Salmonella cases and 57 hospitalizations, officials are continuing to investigate the outbreak. More cases could emerge in the coming weeks as additional illnesses are reported and linked to the contaminated jalapeños.