Chipotle has removed jalapeños from its restaurants across the United States after the ingredient was identified as a possible source of a salmonella outbreak under investigation. The move comes as health officials continue tracing the origin of illnesses linked to Mexican-style restaurants.
The outbreak has sickened at least 110 people in Minnesota, while federal and state authorities are investigating additional cases. Chipotle said it replaced the peppers with supplies from different growers while the investigation continues.
Health officials are examining multiple ingredients connected to the outbreak, although jalapeños have emerged as the leading suspected source in Minnesota. The company says it is cooperating with public health agencies and has already taken precautionary measures. The investigation remains active, and officials say additional cases may still be identified as surveillance efforts continue.
Health Officials Focus on Jalapeños as Outbreak Investigation Continues
Chipotle announced Tuesday that it had removed jalapeños from its restaurants and replaced them with peppers supplied by different growers. The company said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution” after tracing ingredients through its supply chain during the investigation.
According to reports, the Minnesota Department of Health has linked the outbreak to Mexican-style restaurants, with jalapeños identified as the suspected vehicle for transmission. State officials interviewed 84 people who became ill, and 89% reported eating at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14. The remaining patients reported eating at a variety of other Mexican-style restaurants.
Health officials emphasized that Chipotle was not the only restaurant associated with the investigation. Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne Disease Unit, said that “the food that made people sick was served at other restaurants as well.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it began investigating multiple ingredients connected to the salmonella outbreak on July 22. According to reports, the agency initiated a traceback investigation after a cluster of cases was identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health officials. Federal authorities have not yet identified a definitive source.
Company Cooperation and Multi-State Investigation Remain Underway
Chipotle said the health and safety of its customers and employees remains its highest priority and confirmed it is cooperating with public health authorities. The company has not identified the supplier of the jalapeños or specified how many restaurants received the affected product.
Minnesota health officials said Chipotle has provided records and product information throughout the investigation and has removed the identified jalapeños from restaurants receiving those shipments. According to reports, state officials said they have no ongoing concerns about Chipotle following the measures already taken, although they cautioned that contaminated food could still be served elsewhere if the source remains in circulation.
The investigation has expanded beyond Minnesota. NBC News reported that Colorado health officials identified 110 cases associated with the same salmonella javiana outbreak. While authorities said there are likely similarities between the Minnesota and Colorado cases, they have not confirmed that Colorado illnesses are linked to jalapeños or to Chipotle.
Officials also noted that additional cases could still be reported because confirming salmonella infections takes time. The outbreak is separate from the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell and sourced from Taylor Farms de Mexico, which health authorities have investigated independently.
