Federal officials have issued a public health alert for red meat and poultry products containing jalapeños that may be linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Meat and Poultry Products Containing Jalapeños
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service stated that the alert applies to 18 recalled meat and poultry products. Regulated establishments received a recalled ingredient, prompting the agency to release a list of impacted items. The affected brands include Taylor Farms, Ready Meals, Meal Simple, Higher Harvest, Deli Kitchen, and products sold under Walmart’s Marketside brand and the H-E-B brand, according to Cbsnews and Foodsafetynews. Agency officials expect additional downstream products to be identified as the ingredient recall progresses.
Outbreak Scope and Contaminated Produce Origins
The public health alert connects to an ongoing salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations reported, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illnesses in this outbreak started on dates ranging from June 19, 2026, to July 20, 2026.
Federal health officials and traceback data indicate that the illnesses are linked to jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by California-based Coast Citrus Distributors to wholesalers, restaurants, and food service companies. Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to issue a recall of the remaining implicated product and is in the process of contacting affected customers.
The outbreak has heavily impacted specific states. Minnesota and Colorado account for the vast majority of cases with 110 each, while Illinois has reported 30 cases and Kansas 13. Additional states reporting cases include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Restaurant Responses and Retail Recalls
Data compiled by the CDC shows that of 191 interviewed patients, 93% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before falling ill, including popular chains Chipotle and Qdoba.
In response to the outbreak, Chipotle announced it removed jalapeños from its menu out of an abundance of caution and switched its supplier for impacted stores beginning July 20. Qdoba followed by proactively removing jalapeños from all its restaurants on July 28. The NBC News noted there is no ongoing risk at either restaurant chain because the jalapeños were removed.
Grocery stores and distributors have also initiated recalls. Albertsons Companies recalled four items containing jalapeños—including salsas and corn salads—supplied by Taylor Farms and its distributor Direct Roots. Jewel-Osco recalled Chefs Kitchen Fresh Salsa and Ready Meals Fresh Salsa due to jalapeños recalled by Taylor Farms distributor Direct Roots.
Health Risks and Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
Federal agencies urge consumers and retailers who have purchased the impacted products not to consume, serve, or sell them, and to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Symptoms of a salmonella infection can include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms typically begin anywhere from six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria. While healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days, the infection can cause serious and sometimes fatal illnesses in young children, pregnant women, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems who may require hospitalization.
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