A growing salmonella outbreak that has infected 345 people across 27 states has been linked to jalapenos served at Chipotle and Qdoba restaurants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified the jalapenos as a possible source of the outbreak.

Investigation and Response

Both Chipotle and Qdoba have removed the jalapenos from their stores. Qdoba stated that it is cooperating with public health authorities in the investigation and has pulled jalapenos from their restaurants. Chipotle previously removed jalapenos from affected restaurants in multiple states.

The FDA identified through a traceback investigation that both Chipotle and Qdoba received food ingredients that were grown in Mexico and imported by Coast Citrus Distributors from Sinaloa. Coast Citrus Distributors has since agreed to recall jalapeno product from the market, per the FDA.

Symptoms and Precautions

Salmonella are bacteria that can cause a common foodborne illness called salmonellosis. Symptoms of a salmonella infection may include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the highest number of reported salmonella cases are currently located in Minnesota and Colorado, with at least 110 cases in each state so far.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.