Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed jalapeños from its Minnesota restaurants and other locations that received the same batch of peppers after the chain identified the ingredient as a potential link to a Salmonella outbreak. The company says it has replaced the removed jalapeños with product from different growers.
According to Healthline, 110 outbreak-related illnesses have been identified in Minnesota. A dataset of 84 people showed that 75 of them had eaten at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14. The number of cases could still rise as more reports come in.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Minnesota Department of Health are investigating the potential source of a wider Salmonella Javiana outbreak. The Minnesota Department of Health has since confirmed it has no ongoing concerns with Chipotle specifically.
Chipotle's Chief Corporate Affairs and Food Safety Officer, Laurie Schalow, described the company's response in a statement. "We have a robust ingredient traceability system and, upon learning of a potential Salmonella outbreak in the supply chain impacting several food service retailers, we proactively identified jalapeños as a potential common ingredient from a common lot, removed them from the restaurants where they had been distributed, and replaced them with product from different growers," Schalow said.
The company also addressed the safety of its customers and workers directly. "The health and safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority," Chipotle said in an August 4 statement. "The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed it has no ongoing concerns with Chipotle. We are cooperating with public health authorities in their efforts."
Robert Glatter, MD, an emergency medicine physician and assistant professor at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, said the move by Chipotle was routine and appropriate. "Removing jalapeños while an investigation is underway is a standard, precautionary food safety measure — not a reason to panic," he told Healthline. "When a possible source of contamination is identified, pulling that ingredient quickly is one of the most effective ways to stop an outbreak from growing," he said.
Salmonella is not the only foodborne illness drawing attention in the fast-food industry. Some cyclosporiasis cases had been linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms used by chains including Taco Bell, though that claim has since been refuted. Taco Bell has stated it is no longer using that brand of lettuce.
The FDA and Minnesota health officials continue their investigation into the broader Salmonella Javiana outbreak. The total case count remains subject to change as the investigation proceeds.
