Check your refrigerator: Jalapeño salmonella recall

Don't rely on brand names. The jalapenos are in general use in the food supply now.

The Editors

— 2 min read
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Image: MidJourney

A Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors has triggered recalls of fresh peppers and numerous prepared foods, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Here's how you can help keep your family safe.

What to look for

Check your refrigerator and freezer for:

  • Fresh jalapeño peppers that may have come from the recalled supply.
  • Salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole and dips containing jalapeños.
  • Prepared foods containing jalapeños, including some products sold under Trader Joe’s, Freshness Guaranteed, Whole Foods Market, NatureBest and HEB brands. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
  • Salata Jalapeño Avocado Dressing and other products listed in the FDA’s expanding recall notice. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
  • Foods you may have frozen for later. A product can still pose a risk even if its original use-by or sell-by date has passed.
Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños grows to 431 cases in 32 states
The recall has now spread to an array of prepared foods sold by major retailers.
ConsumerNews.aiThe Editors

If you find one

Do not eat it. Throw the recalled food away or follow the retailer’s instructions for returning it.

Then wash and sanitize refrigerator shelves, drawers, cutting boards, containers and other surfaces that may have touched the recalled peppers or foods.

If you have loose jalapeños and cannot determine where they came from, FDA advises checking with the retailer or supplier. Peppers from the implicated Sinaloa source distributed by Coast Citrus should be discarded. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Watch for symptoms

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. People who believe they became ill after eating recalled food should contact a healthcare provider, particularly young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

Don't rely on the brand name alone

This is an unusually complicated recall because the contaminated peppers were used as ingredients in other foods. FDA says additional downstream recalls may still be necessary. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

The safest approach: If you recently bought a jalapeño-containing salsa, guacamole, dip or prepared food, check the FDA recall list before eating it.

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