Fresh jalapeño peppers were recalled by after the CDC and FDA linked them to an outbreak of Salmonella that sickened at least 345 people.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Salmonella food poisoning cases in all 50 states. If you got sick after eating jalapeño peppers at QDOBA, Chipotle, or other locations, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Quick Facts About This Outbreak
- Pathogen: Salmonella Javiana
- Illnesses: 345 as of August 4, 2026
- States affected: 27
- Hospitalizations: 36 of 291 patients with information available (12%)
- Deaths: 0
- Illness onset: June 19 to July 20, 2026
- Source: Fresh jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors
What Happened With the Coast Citrus Jalapeño Recall?
In August 2026, Coast Citrus Distributors announced a recall for fresh jalapeño peppers after the FDA and CDC identified them as the likely source of a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella. The peppers were grown on a farm in Sinaloa, Mexico, and imported to the U.S., according to the FDA traceback investigation.
Which Restaurants Received the Recalled Jalapeños?
Coast Citrus Distributors supplied fresh jalapeños to wholesalers, restaurants and food service companies nationwide, included chain restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA.
Many of the victims in this outbreak ate at Chipotle, QDOBA, or other restaurants. Out of 191 people who were interviewed about what they ate before they got sick, 177 (93%) reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant, with meal dates from June 14 to July 14, 2026.
Investigators identified 27 illness clusters tied to Chipotle and QDOBA locations across 7 states. Jalapeño peppers, red onion, cilantro and avocado were the most commonly reported ingredients among the people who later fell ill.
What Is the Salmonella Risk?
The FDA describes the danger on its outbreak page:
“Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with Salmonella, and the symptoms usually last four to seven days.”
Reported symptoms of Salmonella infection include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
Children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections, according to the FDA.
How Many People Got Sick?
As of August 4, 2026, health officials have confirmed that 345 people got sick in 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported. Health officials note that the true number of people sickened is likely higher, since many people recover without medical care and are never tested for Salmonella.
What Should I Do?
Distributors, restaurants and food service companies that received jalapeño peppers from Coast Citrus Distributors are being advised not to sell or serve them, and to discard the product if its source cannot be confirmed.
If you ate at Chipotle or QDOBA between mid-June and late July 2026 and later developed Salmonella symptoms, keep any medical records and consider speaking with a lawyer about your rights.
Do I Have a Jalapeño Pepper Salmonella Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Salmonella injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know got sick after eating jalapeño peppers that were recalled due to this outbreak, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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