Whole Foods expands recall of guacamole and dips amid salmonella investigation
Whole Foods Market has added guacamole, dips and other items to a recall linked to a salmonella outbreak tied to jalapeños, urging customers to discard the products and seek refunds.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Aug. 12 that Whole Foods Market is recalling additional guacamole, dip and related products after a salmonella outbreak traced to jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. The recall follows an earlier Aug. 9 recall by distributor Taylor Farms of several items sold at Whole Foods and other retailers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 340 people in 27 states have been infected, with 36 hospitalizations and no deaths. The contaminated jalapeños were supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors and were also used by restaurant chains such as Chipotle and Qdoba, which have removed the ingredient from their menus.
"Nothing matters more to us than our customers' safety. We've pulled all recalled products from our shelves. Customers who purchased any of these products from us should throw them away and contact us for a refund," said Kristen Orsborn, a spokesperson for Whole Foods Market.
The recalled items were sold online and in Whole Foods stores across 12 states, including Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. Customers are advised not to consume the products, to discard them, and to present a receipt for a full refund.
The outbreak highlights the ongoing risk of salmonella, a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting and other symptoms, according to the CDC.