Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Mexican Peppers Spreads to 32 States, 431 Cases

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in an update on August 19 that a salmonella outbreak associated with Mexican peppers has spread to additional states. A total of 32 states have now reported cases, up from 27 earlier this month. The affected states include Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The outbreak has caused 431 illnesses, including 86 newly reported cases, with 57 hospitalizations and no deaths. Colorado and Minnesota each have reported more than 100 cases, while Georgia and Illinois have each reported over 24 cases. The remaining states have reported between 1 and 14 cases each. Illness onset dates range from June 19 to August 2.

The outbreak is linked to peppers from a farm in Sinaloa, Mexico, that were distributed to the United States earlier this year. Retailers that sold the peppers or products containing them include Kroger, Target, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods. Several companies, including Taylor Fresh Foods, Whole Foods, NatureBest, and Hardy Fresh Foods, have recalled peppers and related products. Recalled items include a jalapeño dip sold at Kroger and a taco dip sold at Target. A complete list of recalled products is available on the U. Food and Drug Administration website.

Salmonella infections typically arise from consuming contaminated food, and symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, usually appearing 12 to 72 hours after ingestion. Investigators interviewed 224 patients, of whom 91% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming ill, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA. Individuals who purchased the recalled products should discard them or return them to the place of purchase.