Chipotle pulls jalapeños from select locations amid salmonella investigation
Chipotle removed jalapeños from some restaurants after health officials linked the ingredient to a salmonella outbreak affecting dozens of people, and the company is cooperating with traceability investigations.
Chipotle announced on Tuesday that it has removed jalapeños from a number of its restaurants after the ingredient was identified as a possible common link in a salmonella outbreak under investigation by public health authorities. Minnesota health officials have reported 110 cases of Salmonella Javiana, and among the 84 interviewed patients, 89% said they had eaten at Chipotle between mid-June and early July, according to senior epidemiologist Carlota Medus.
The chain said it activated its ingredient traceability system as soon as the potential link was discovered and determined that jalapeños from a single lot could be involved. "Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapeños from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers," the company said.
Chipotle emphasized that guest and employee safety is its top priority and noted that it has a robust traceability system, as stated by chief corporate affairs and food safety officer Laurie Schalow. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is also conducting a traceback investigation that includes jalapeños and other possible sources.
The current probe recalls the chain's 2015 food-safety crises, which led to extensive reforms in its safety protocols and ingredient tracking.