National Alert: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Jalapeños Triggers Widespread Meat and Poultry Product Recalls
A significant multi-state Salmonella outbreak, traced to fresh jalapeño peppers imported from Mexico, has led to the recall of at least 18 ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. The outbreak has sickened 345 individuals across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations, according to joint advisories from the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The implicated jalapeños were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed in the U.S. by Coast Citrus Distributors. While the recalls primarily target prepared foods, many reported illnesses have been linked to Mexican-style restaurants, rather than the specific recalled products themselves.
The recalled meat products, which incorporate the FDA-regulated jalapeños, fall under the “Fully Cooked – Not Shelf Stable” category and encompass a variety of ready-to-eat wraps, bowls, and salads. These items were sold at numerous major retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Wawa, Hannaford, RaceTrac, and Dillons.
SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LINKED TO JALAPENOS SPREADS TO MULTIPLE STATES, DOZENS HOSPITALIZED
Jalapeño peppers have been linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak. (iStock / iStock)
As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of illnesses directly linked to the recalled meat and poultry products. The affected items were distributed across 24 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Several prominent brands and retailers are involved in the recall, including Taylor Farms, Deli Kitchen, H-E-B’s Higher Harvest and Meal Simple brands, Marketside, Wawa, Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, and Hannaford. The prepared meals under recall typically have “use-by” dates ranging from August 3rd to August 16th, 2026.
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Multiple grocery stores and major retailers are impacted by recalls of ready-to-eat products containing jalapeños linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak. (Getty Images / Getty Images)
Specific recalled products include:
- Taylor Farms and Deli Kitchen: Chipotle Cheddar Chicken Wrap (Kroger, Dillons; use-by Aug. 7-13, 2026), Cajun Chicken Mashed Potatoes & Corn (Kroger; use-by Aug. 7-14), Taylor Farms Chicken Enchiladas (Kroger; use-by Aug. 7-16), and RaceTrac Southwest Style Salad Chicken (use-by Aug. 7-13).
- H-E-B (Higher Harvest and Meal Simple brands): Chicken & Beef Chimichurri (use-by Aug. 6, 9, 13), Creamy Cilantro Chicken (use-by Aug. 4-12), Southwest Chicken Shake Rattle Bowls (use-by Aug. 7-15), Meal Simple Pork Carnitas Bowl, and Chicken & Rice with Cilantro Jalapeño Sauce (both use-by Aug. 3, 7, 10, 14).
- Marketside and Wawa: Marketside Southwest Style Salad with Chicken (Walmart; use-by Aug. 8-16), and Wawa Spicy Chipotle Chicken Wrap (use-by Aug. 6-8).
- Albertsons, Randalls, and Tom Thumb: Beef Barbacoa Bowls, Chile Lime Rice Chicken Bowls, Pork Chile Verde Bowls, and Chipotle Chicken Wraps (use-by Aug. 7-12).
- Hannaford: Taylor Farms Classic Beef Burritos, Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Wraps, and Chicken Verde Burritos (use-by Aug. 7-12).
For a comprehensive list of all recalled products, consumers are advised to visit the FSIS website here.
Customers wait in line as a Chipotle employee prepares orders at a Chipotle restaurant. (Getty Images/ Joe Raedle / Getty Images)
Federal regulators pinpointed the onset of illnesses related to the jalapeño outbreak between June 19th and July 20th, 2026. Investigators interviewed 191 infected individuals, with a staggering 93% reporting consumption at a Mexican-style restaurant prior to becoming ill. These reported meal dates spanned from June 14th to July 14th. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported in connection with this outbreak.
Notably, both Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA were identified as having received contaminated jalapeños from Sinaloa. Chipotle swiftly responded by switching its jalapeño supplier for affected locations starting July 20th, effectively removing the compromised product from its supply chain. QDOBA followed suit, discontinuing the use of jalapeños at all of its restaurants on July 28th. Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall all remaining implicated product and has ceased importing jalapeños from the grower linked to the outbreak.
Due to these decisive containment measures, the FDA has assured the public that there is no current ongoing risk to consumers dining at these establishments. FSIS anticipates further downstream product identifications as the ingredient recall process continues to unfold.
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Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can lead to salmonellosis, characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. Symptoms typically manifest within six hours to six days after exposure, with most individuals recovering within four to seven days without medical intervention. However, severe illness can occur, particularly in vulnerable populations such as older adults, infants, and those with compromised immune systems. Individuals experiencing concerns about potential illness should promptly consult their healthcare provider.
