Chipotle pulls jalapeños amid salmonella outbreak investigation
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced that it has removed jalapeños from some of its locations following concerns that the peppers may be linked to a salmonella outbreak currently under investigation by public health authorities, reports BritPanorama.
The company emphasized that the “health and safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority” and acknowledged that health officials are probing the source of an outbreak affecting various food service establishments. In the precautionary measure, Chipotle replaced the jalapeños with products sourced from different growers, though it did not disclose how many restaurants were affected or the origins of the jalapeños previously used.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) confirmed it is investigating a salmonella outbreak associated with several quick-service Mexican restaurants, with jalapeños as the suspected source. So far, officials have identified 110 confirmed cases in the state. Most of those affected had dined at Chipotle between mid-June and mid-July, although not all reported cases were traced directly to the chain.
“Based on all the evidence so far, the food that made people sick was served at other restaurants as well,” said Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in the MDH’s Health Foodborne Diseases Unit. Medus noted that Chipotle has been cooperative throughout the investigation and indicated that the MDH is currently not concerned about the chain, although it remains “too soon for us to know if the outbreak is ongoing.” He added that it is possible contaminated food may still be served elsewhere.
Further details suggest that other states are involved in the investigation, although specifics were not provided. On the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a traceback investigation that includes, but is not limited to, jalapeños.
The FDA has yet to respond to inquiries for additional information regarding the investigation. Meanwhile, shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill, based in California, dropped more than 9% during afternoon trading as concerns over the outbreak escalated.
