Chipotle removes jalapeños as salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican peppers affects 27 states

Health officials have traced a salmonella outbreak to jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, that have sickened 345 people in 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations and no deaths reported. The peppers were shipped to U.S. food‑service clients by Coast Citrus Distributors, which has recalled the product and notified its customers. Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba have stopped using the affected jalapeños in their restaurants, and the FDA says the chains no longer pose a health risk to consumers. Minnesota health officials continue to investigate the source, and a Minnesota woman has sued Chipotle over a severe illness she attributes to the contaminated peppers.