Chipotle Pulls Jalapeños Amid Salmonella Outbreak: Should You Worry?

• Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed jalapeños from Minnesota restaurants and other locations due to potential links to a Salmonella outbreak.
• The fast-casual restaurant chain assures customers that there’s no further threat of foodborne illness.
• To prevent Salmonella, cook food thoroughly, keep raw and cooked foods separate, and wash your hands before and after handling food.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed jalapeños from its restaurants in Minnesota and other locations that received the same batch of peppers over possible Salmonella concerns.

Chipotle stated they’ve traced the ingredient to a common source, removed the product from the relevant restaurants, and replaced it with jalapeños from different growers.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) are investigating the potential source of a wider Salmonella Javiana outbreak, prompting a swift response from Chipotle.

Salmonella isn’t the only foodborne illness under investigation by the FDA. The federal health agency is also looking into the possible causes of the Cyclosporiasis outbreak, which causes “explosive diarrhea.”

Some cyclosporiasis cases were linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms used by fast-food chains like Taco Bell, but that claim has since been refuted. Still, Taco Bell states it is no longer using that brand of lettuce.

As public concern mounts over foodborne illness, Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer, offered reassurance.

“We have a robust ingredient traceability system and, upon learning of a potential Salmonella outbreak in the supply chain impacting several food service retailers, we proactively identified jalapeños as a potential common ingredient from a common lot, removed them from the restaurants where they had been distributed, and replaced them with product from different growers,” Schalow said in a statement shared with Healthline.

Is it safe to eat at chipotle?

While consumers should take precautions to avoid Salmonella, there’s no indication of a significant public health risk at this time.

“The health and safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority,” Chipotle said in an August 4 statement. “The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed it has no ongoing concerns with Chipotle. We are cooperating with public health authorities in their efforts.”

According to Reuters and multiple news sources, 110 outbreak-related illnesses have been identified in Minnesota. The dataset included 84 people, 75 of whom had eaten at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14.

Although Chipotle has removed the jalapeños that were possibly linked to the outbreak, the number of cases could increase as more reports come in.

“Removing jalapeños while an investigation is underway is a standard, precautionary food safety measure — not a reason to panic,” said Robert Glatter, MD, a physician and assistant professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Emergency Medicine.

“When a possible source of contamination is identified, pulling that ingredient quickly is one of the most effective ways to stop an outbreak from growing,” he told Healthline.

Warning signs of Salmonella

Knowing the symptoms of Salmonella can help you seek medical help as early as possible.

“Most people with Salmonella infection develop symptoms 6 hours to 6 days after exposure,” Glatter said.

Common symptoms to look out for include:

• diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
• fever
• stomach cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• headache

In most cases, symptoms resolve “within 4 to 7 days without treatment,” said Glatter. Staying hydrated during recovery is essential.

Still, Glatter advised that anybody experiencing any of the following should seek medical attention:

• diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
• high fever of over 102ºF (39ºC)
• bloody stool
• signs of dehydration, including:
  • very dry mouth
  • little or no urination
  • dizziness
• severe abdominal pain

High-risk groups should also seek medical advice, Glatter said. These include:

• children under the age of 5 years
• adults over 65
• pregnant people
• anyone with a weakened immune system

Protecting yourself from Salmonella

Chipotle has proactively removed the suspected jalapeños, likely reducing the risk of Salmonella infection in its restaurants.

However, it’s also important to take steps to protect yourself from the risk, as other sources may carry the bacteria.

“Salmonella bacteria are usually spread by eating contaminated food — most commonly undercooked meat, poultry, eggs, and sometimes fresh produce like peppers, tomatoes, or leafy greens,” Glatter said. “The bacteria can also spread through contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces.”

Glatter recommended the following to help prevent salmonella infection:

• Cook food thoroughly and use a food thermometer. Poultry should reach 165ºF (74ºC), and ground beef should reach 160ºF (71ºC).
• Keep raw and cooked foods separate. Use different cutting boards and utensils for each.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling food, after using the bathroom, and after touching animals.
• Refrigerate food promptly. Don’t leave perishable food at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if it’s above 90°F (32°C).
• Wash fresh produce under running water before eating, even if you plan to peel it.

“Consumers should follow any specific advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration, or their local health department,” Glatter said.

“If a recall identifies particular products, dates, or locations, those instructions are more useful than avoiding an entire category of food indefinitely.”