Chipotle pulls jalapeños from some restaurants amid salmonella probe sickening over 100

Chipotle pulled jalapeños from some Minnesota restaurants after health officials linked the peppers to a Salmonella Javiana outbreak that sickened 110 people in the state between mid-June and mid-July. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, the company removed jalapeños from all locations that received the affected product and replaced them with peppers from different growers as a precaution.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has identified 110 cases of Salmonella Javiana linked to the outbreak, which affected individuals who ate at Mexican-style quick-service restaurants, with a strong association to Chipotle. Medus said the cases were confirmed to be related through whole genome sequencing, a laboratory method that strengthens the epidemiological link.

Among 84 patients interviewed, 75 reported eating at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14, with most exposures occurring between June 24 and July 2, according to Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in MDH’s Foodborne Diseases Unit.

Chipotle responded by removing jalapeños from all Minnesota locations that received the suspect product. The company initiated its ingredient traceability system immediately after learning of the outbreak and identified jalapeños from a common lot as a potential source. Chipotle then replaced the jalapeños with peppers from different growers as a precaution, Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, said. Schalow described the company’s traceability system as robust and emphasized its cooperation with public health authorities.

MDH officials confirmed that Chipotle fully collaborated with the investigation by providing records and removing suspected jalapeños from affected restaurants. Medus noted that while the chain’s mitigation steps help prevent further transmission, it is too soon to determine whether the outbreak is ongoing, and contaminated products could still be served elsewhere. She added that cases not linked to Chipotle reported eating at a variety of other Mexican-style restaurants, indicating a broader impact across the foodservice industry.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated a traceback investigation on July 22 after state officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified a cluster of Salmonella illnesses. The FDA is investigating multiple ingredients to determine the source and scope of contamination, though jalapeños remain the leading suspect. The agency’s investigation covers distribution beyond Minnesota, as the implicated jalapeño lot was supplied to several foodservice retailers across multiple states, according to FDA statements.

The outbreak timeline spans illnesses reported from mid-June through mid-July, with most linked to exposures in late June and early July. Chipotle’s removal of the jalapeños was publicly reported on August 4 in national media outlets. MDH officials indicated that other states are contributing to the investigation, suggesting the potential for wider distribution of contaminated jalapeños beyond Minnesota.

Officials from MDH and Chipotle have emphasized the company’s prompt response and ongoing cooperation. Medus praised Chipotle’s full collaboration, including providing detailed records of food deliveries and implementing mitigation measures. Schalow reiterated the chain’s commitment to food safety protocols and its proactive approach in removing the suspect jalapeños.

The current Salmonella Javiana outbreak is distinct from a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting nine states, which involves a different pathogen. Media reports and public health sources have consistently noted that the salmonella cases are associated with Mexican-style quick-service restaurants broadly, not exclusively Chipotle.

Public health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. MDH and the FDA have stressed that it is too early to declare the outbreak over and that investigations are ongoing to identify the exact source and distribution of the contaminated products. The FDA’s traceback efforts and collaboration with state and federal partners aim to prevent further illnesses and ensure food safety across affected regions.