Key Update

A Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers imported from Mexico has sickened 345 people across 27 US states, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At least 36 people have been hospitalised, although authorities have reported no deaths so far.

Health officials are investigating the source of the contamination and monitoring for additional cases. The FDA said people reported illnesses between June 19 and July 20, giving investigators a timeframe to determine when and where people may have consumed the contaminated peppers.

Investigators have traced the outbreak to jalapeño peppers grown by a common supplier in Sinaloa, Mexico. Coast Citrus Distributors imported the peppers into the US, and authorities have identified restaurants and food suppliers that received the affected produce as they traced its distribution.

Recall Issued for Affected Jalapeños

Following the investigation, Coast Citrus Distributors agreed to recall the remaining affected jalapeños and contact customers who may have received the products.

The FDA has advised consumers and businesses not to eat, sell or serve the recalled jalapeños from Sinaloa. The agency said the affected peppers do not appear to have reached grocery stores directly. As a result, investigators are focusing primarily on restaurants and food suppliers that received the products.

Restaurants Remove Affected Peppers

The supply-chain investigation identified restaurant chains including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA among businesses that received jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Chipotle changed its jalapeño supplier on July 20, while QDOBA stopped using the affected peppers on July 28. The FDA said it does not currently believe consumers face an ongoing risk from the affected restaurants involved in the outbreak.

While authorities continue to trace the contaminated produce, they are also reminding consumers about the illness caused by the bacteria involved.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness. Common symptoms include diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. The illness can become more serious in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. Health authorities also caution that the number of reported cases could increase as investigators identify and confirm additional infections.

Tracing the Contamination Through the Supply Chain

Investigators are continuing to trace the jalapeños from their source in Sinaloa, Mexico, through the importer and distribution network to the US restaurants that received them. This process can help authorities determine how the contamination occurred and whether other products may also have been affected.

The outbreak highlights the importance of maintaining food safety at every stage of the fresh-produce supply chain, from cultivation and harvesting to import, distribution and food service.

For now, the FDA and CDC continue to advise consumers and businesses to avoid the recalled jalapeño peppers while the investigation continues. Authorities are also monitoring the situation for additional illnesses and working to determine the full extent of the outbreak.

Source: Hindustan Times