Taylor Farms, a producer of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables based in California, has recalled several items due to a salmonella risk. The recall affects products like salsa and guacamole sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s.
This recall follows a cyclospora outbreak involving iceberg lettuce and involves finished products with potentially contaminated fresh jalapeños. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella is a common cause of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. It can lead to severe illness, especially in children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
The CDC warns that infections from contaminated food can be dangerous.
The outbreak is linked to fresh jalapeños from Coast Citrus Distributors, a supplier in the U.S. and Mexico. A grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, has been identified as the potential source. CDC data reveals 345 reported cases from 27 states since late July, with 36 hospitalizations and no deaths.
Taylor Farms will no longer source jalapeños from the Sinaloa-based farmer, opting for alternative suppliers instead.
Details on the Salmonella Outbreak
Illnesses began between June 19 and July 20. Among 191 interviewed individuals, 93 percent reported eating at Mexican-style restaurants such as Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA shortly before falling ill. These establishments removed jalapeño peppers from their menus after being notified of the outbreak.
The FDA and CDC have declared no current salmonella risk at these restaurants, but their investigation remains active. They urge businesses to check inventories for contamination.
Potentially affected jalapeño products were mostly supplied to restaurants or sold wholesale, and authorities are uncertain if they reached grocery stores.
Salmonella cases have been reported in various states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
For further information, contact the Newsweek editors, Tobias Meyjes and Tony Phillips.