Salmonella outbreak tied to jalapenos sickens over 300 people in 27 states, including SC

By Abigail Quinn

LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — A salmonella outbreak linked to jalapenos has made people sick in more than two dozen states, including South Carolina, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC states that the infected jalapenos were grown in Mexico and were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to restaurant chains including Chipotle and Qdoba.

Both restaurant chains have since removed the jalapenos from their menu but not before 345 people were made sick in 27 separate states, officials report.

The infected peppers were reportedly primarily distributed to restaurants or wholesale however, the Food and Drug Administration is working to identify if some of the peppers were also sold in grocery stores. If affected jalapeño peppers were also available at stores, FDA may announce additional recalls.

Individuals who are sick with salmonella experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms are reported to usually start six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.