3 weeks ago
Salmonella, Cyclospora outbreaks prompt US egg, pepper, lettuce recalls
Germs called Salmonella and Cyclospora can make people sick when they get into food.
Many people in the United States got sick after eating jalapeño peppers, eggs, and iceberg lettuce.
Health investigators think the peppers came from Sinaloa, Mexico, and were sold by Coast Citrus Distributors.
The company recalled the peppers, and restaurants like Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA stopped serving them.
An egg company called Midwest Poultry Services, LP recalled more than 1.5 million dozen eggs from its Texas farms.
Taylor Farms de Mexico also recalled iceberg lettuce because of Cyclospora germs.
Most people who got sick had stomach problems and got better.
Some people needed hospital care, and sadly two people died in Michigan.
Health officials say to throw away the recalled food and wash anything that touched the peppers.
Following the recalls keeps people safer from getting sick.
The CDC reported 345 Salmonella cases linked to jalapeño peppers across 27 US states as of August 4, with no deaths reported.
Coast Citrus Distributors recalled jalapeño peppers traced to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico; 93% of interviewed patients reported eating at Mexican-style restaurants, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA.
Midwest Poultry Services, LP recalled 1,589,577 dozen eggs produced in Texas over potential Salmonella Enteritidis contamination, tied to 98 cases across 17 states.
A Cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce has caused 6,358 illnesses in 15 states, at least 278 hospitalizations, and two deaths in Michigan.
Officials urge consumers not to eat, sell, or serve recalled products and to wash and sanitize surfaces that contacted recalled jalapeño peppers.
- Who
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), working with state and local officials, are investigating the outbreaks; food companies Coast Citrus Distributors, Midwest Poultry Services, LP, and Taylor Farms de Mexico issued the recalls.
- What
- Multistate outbreaks of Salmonella linked to jalapeño peppers and eggs, and Cyclospora linked to iceberg lettuce, triggered large product recalls across the US.
- Where
- Jalapeño cases span 27 US states, egg cases span 17 states, and Cyclospora cases span 15 states; the peppers came from Sinaloa, Mexico, the eggs from Texas, and the lettuce from central Mexico.
- When
- Salmonella jalapeño illnesses began between June 19 and July 20, 2026, with a CDC update on August 5, 2026; egg-related illnesses and recalls were announced in late July 2026; Cyclospora illnesses began on June 22, 2026.
- Why
- The foods were found to be contaminated with Salmonella Javiana, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Cyclospora, making people ill and leading to recalls.
Key facts
- Jalapeño Salmonella cases
- 345 across 27 US states; no deaths
- Egg Salmonella cases
- 98 across 17 US states; no deaths
- Recalled eggs
- 1,589,577 dozen (Kroger, Simple Truth, Brookshire's, Cal-Maine, Country Morning brands)
- Cyclospora cases
- 6,358 across 15 states; at least 278 hospitalizations; 2 deaths in Michigan
- Jalapeño source
- Common grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, supplying Coast Citrus Distributors
- Egg source
- Midwest Poultry Services, LP, Texas farms; eggs produced June 6–July 3, 2026
- Lettuce recall
- Taylor Farms de Mexico voluntarily removed central Mexico iceberg lettuce on July 17, 2026
- Restaurants linked
- Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA (jalapeños); Taco Bell (iceberg lettuce)
Quotes
CDC
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, epidemiology agency
“"Due to the additional interview data, the outbreak now includes people who reported exposure to Taco Bell or recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce."”
livemint.com
“"Midwest Poultry Services identified the issue on its two Texas farms through proactive environmental monitoring practices and root cause analysis."”
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