A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers imported from Mexico has triggered a growing wave of downstream recalls, including ready-to-eat meals, wraps, salads, dips, salsas and other packaged foods sold at major retailers.
Federal officials say the outbreak has sickened 345 people in 27 states, including Texas, with Colorado and Minnesota each having more than 110 reported cases. A total of 36 hospitalizations but no deaths have been reported.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the contaminated jalapeños were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed in the United States by Coast Citrus Distributors. As the investigation continues, additional food manufacturers are recalling products that contain the affected peppers.
Recall Expands Beyond Fresh Jalapeños
Taylor Fresh Foods announced a recall of numerous products containing jalapeños covered by the Coast Citrus recall. The products were distributed to retail centers in 28 states, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with “Best If Used By” dates extending through August 16, 2026.
Affected retailers include Hannaford, Kroger, Stop & Shop, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods.
The recalled products include:
- Diced jalapeños
- Pico de gallo and other salsas
- Guacamole and spicy guacamole
- Rice and bean burritos
- Spicy roast beef sandwiches
- Spicy Jarlsberg and pimento cheese dips
- Taco dip
- Fiesta-style salad with shrimp
Taylor Fresh Foods said it is no longer sourcing products from the grower associated with the outbreak and is obtaining jalapeños from alternative suppliers. The company said it is not aware of illnesses linked specifically to its recalled products.
The recall has also expanded into federally regulated meat and poultry products.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert covering ready-to-eat products containing the recalled jalapeños. The products include meals, bowls, wraps and salads sold under brands including Deli Kitchen, Higher Harvest for H-E-B, Meal Simple, Marketside, Ready Meals, Taylor Farms and Wawa.
Among the recalled products are Deli Kitchen Chipotle Cheddar Chicken Wraps, H-E-B Chicken & Beef Chimichurri, H-E-B Creamy Cilantro Chicken, Marketside Southwest Style Salad with Chicken, Taylor Farms Chicken Enchiladas and Wawa Spicy Chipotle Chicken Wraps.
Federal officials said no illnesses have been confirmed in connection with the recalled meat and poultry products.
Most Illnesses Linked to Restaurant Meals
While packaged foods are now being recalled, investigators say most illnesses reported in the outbreak have been associated with restaurant meals.
Of 191 people interviewed by investigators, 93% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming sick, The Dallas Express reported. Meal dates ranged from June 14 through July 14, while illness onset dates ranged from June 19 through July 20.
Officials previously identified Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA as restaurant chains that received jalapeños from the implicated source. Chipotle changed suppliers for affected locations beginning July 20, while QDOBA stopped using jalapeños at its restaurants on July 28.
The FDA said those actions mean there is no current ongoing risk associated with eating at those establishments from the recalled peppers.
More products could be recalled
Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall the remaining implicated jalapeños and has stopped importing peppers from the grower identified as the potential source.
The FDA said it is continuing its investigation and that additional downstream products could be identified as the recall expands.
Consumers should check refrigerators for recalled products and discard them without eating them. Refunds may be available from the retailer where products were purchased.
Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms generally develop within hours to several days after exposure. Most people recover without treatment, but infections can become serious, particularly in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Consumers who develop symptoms after potentially consuming a recalled product should contact a health care provider.
