Taylor Farms has recalled a wide range of prepared foods containing jalapeños, including dips, salsa and guacamole, as a multistate salmonella outbreak linked to peppers grown in Mexico expands through the U.S. food supply.
Taylor Fresh Foods announced Sunday that it was recalling products made with jalapeños supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors, which is recalling fresh peppers because of potential salmonella contamination. The affected Taylor products were sent to retail distribution centers in 26 states. The products include salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese dips, rice and bean burritos, and roast beef sandwiches sold through Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Some have “best if used by” dates as late as Aug. 16.
Federal health officials have reported 345 illnesses across 27 statesin the outbreak, including 36 hospitalizations and no deaths. Illnesses began between June 19 and July 20, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days. But the bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
Of 191 people interviewed by health officials as part of their investigation, 177 reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming ill, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba. Both chains received jalapeños imported by Coast Citrus and have since stopped serving them, the FDA said.
Coast Citrus did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Taylor Farms said it is no longer sourcing products from the implicated grower and is using alternative suppliers.
No illnesses have been reported specifically in connection with the recalled products, Taylor Farms said. The recall marks another food-safety issue involving Taylor Farms this summer. The company separately recalled iceberg lettuce last month amid the largest outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by a parasite, in the United States. Thousands of people have been sickened in that outbreak.
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