More than a dozen Taylor Farms products sold at major retailers across the US are undergoing a recall due to potential contamination with salmonella from jalapeño peppers, reports BritPanorama.
The recalled items consist of salsas, dips, sandwiches, and more, distributed across 26 states and available at stores such as Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods. A full list of the affected products can be found on Taylor Farms’ website.
Some products affected carry “Best If Used By” dates up to and including August 16, prompting consumers to discard any recalled items immediately. Refunds are being offered at the place of purchase, according to Taylor Fresh Foods.
As of now, Taylor Fresh Foods has not reported any illnesses linked to these recalled products. The jalapeños implicated were supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors, which is at the centre of a multistate salmonella outbreak connected to jalapeños served at Chipotle and QDOBA. The US Food and Drug Administration has indicated that there is currently no ongoing risk associated with these restaurants, although approximately 350 illnesses and 36 hospitalizations have been recorded related to that outbreak.
Coast Citrus Distributors has voluntarily recalled the fresh jalapeños, and both Chipotle and QDOBA, along with Taylor Fresh Foods, have stated they will cease sourcing from this supplier.
Salmonella is a bacterium found in the intestinal tract, and infection usually occurs through the consumption of food contaminated with animal feces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that salmonella causes around 1.35 million infections annually, leading to about 420 deaths.
This year, the US has been experiencing several salmonella outbreaks, including one linked to jalapeños, another associated with eggs, and several connected to animals such as backyard chickens and chameleons.
Individuals infected with salmonella typically present symptoms including stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting, often accompanied by bloody diarrhea. Symptoms generally resolve within four to seven days, with most individuals recovering without medical treatment. Severe symptoms are more likely to affect those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, the elderly, small children, and individuals with suppressed immune systems.
To mitigate the risk of salmonella infection, experts recommend thoroughly washing hands, raw produce, and cooking surfaces, while also keeping raw poultry, eggs, seafood, and meat separate from ready-to-eat items like fruits and vegetables.
