On Aug. 5, federal health officials issued a food safety alert over a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana that has sickened hundreds of people across the United States. According to the latest figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), at least 345 people across 27 states have been infected with the same strain of Salmonella. The FDA said 36 people have been hospitalized with no deaths reported.
Investigators have linked the outbreak to fresh jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed in the United States by California-based Coast Citrus Distributors.
Reported illnesses began between June 19 and July 20. Health officials cautioned that the true number of infections is likely considerably higher because many people recover without medical treatment and are never tested for Salmonella. It can also take several weeks for newly identified cases to be connected to an outbreak, authorities said.
Colorado and Minnesota have been among the hardest-hit states, with over cases reported in each state.
Restaurants pulling jalapeños
Following notification of the outbreak, Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA removed the affected jalapeños from their restaurants and replaced them with peppers obtained from other suppliers. Federal health officials said the contaminated products are no longer being served at either chain and that the restaurants are not considered an ongoing source of exposure.
For the best of our weekly content！
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Check your email to complete sign up
Coast Citrus Distributors has also agreed to voluntarily recall affected shipments and notify wholesalers and restaurant customers that received the peppers.
The FDA and CDC are continuing to trace the distribution network to determine whether contaminated jalapeños were also sold through grocery stores. Additional recalls could follow if investigators identify affected products at retail locations.
Fresh produce under scrutiny
The outbreak comes amid heightened concern over foodborne illnesses linked to fresh produce, which can be particularly difficult to contain because products are often distributed widely and consumed raw.
Fresh peppers have previously been implicated in major Salmonella outbreaks. In 2008, an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul sickened more than 1,400 people across the United States. Tomatoes were initially suspected, causing major losses for growers, before investigators ultimately identified jalapeño and serrano peppers from Mexico as major sources of contamination.
The latest outbreak comes shortly after a separate multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to imported produce distributed by Taylor Farms, adding to concerns over the safety and traceability of fresh-food supply chains. The company says all affected produce, mainly iceberg lettuce from Mexico, has been recalled.
Salmonella infections typically cause diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy people recover without treatment, but infections can become serious in young children, adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems.
Original article
Comments