Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapenos expands to more states and restaurant chains. Here’s what you need to know

(Gray News) – Federal health officials are warning the public after a salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeno peppers has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, sending 36 to the hospital.

The FDA and CDC say the peppers were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, imported by Coast Citrus Distributors, and distributed to restaurants and food service companies, including Chipotle and QDOBA.

No deaths have been reported.

What you need to know

Illnesses were reported between June 19 and July 20. Of the 191 people interviewed by the CDC, 93% said they had eaten at a Mexican-style restaurant before getting sick — with meal dates ranging from June 14 to July 14, 2026.

The CDC has confirmed cases in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

According to the FDA, Chipotle and QDOBA are safe places to eat as both establishments have stopped using the recalled product.

The source: A farm in Sinaloa, Mexico

Through a traceback investigation, the FDA identified a common grower in Sinaloa, Mexico that supplies Coast Citrus Distributors as the likely source of the outbreak.

As a result, the FDA recommended a recall. Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the remaining implicated product and is in the process of notifying affected customers.

What should consumers do?

If you recently ate at a Mexican-style restaurant and are experiencing symptoms of salmonella including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, contact your doctor right away.

Symptoms of salmonella infection typically appear six hours to six days after exposure and can last four to seven days.

The FDA is working to determine if jalapenos went to grocery stores. If affected jalapenos were also available at stores, additional recalls may be announced.