431 Sick From Jalapeños: The Recall Hiding Inside Your Salsa, Guacamole, and Burrito

At a glance

• As of the FDA's August 21 update, 431 people in 32 states are sick with Salmonella Javiana, and 57 have been hospitalized.
• The source is fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.
• 91 percent of the people interviewed had eaten at a Mexican-style restaurant, including Chipotle and Qdoba, before they got sick.
• Taylor Fresh Foods, Whole Foods, and Salata have recalled salsas, guacamole, dips, burritos, salads, and a dressing made with the peppers.

The issue

Nobody recalls a single jalapeño. The Salmonella Javiana outbreak traced to fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, spread mostly through restaurants: 91 percent of the people interviewed had eaten at a Mexican-style restaurant, including Chipotle and Qdoba, before they got sick.

How big it is so far

As of August 21 the count was 431 people sick in 32 states and 57 hospitalizations, with illness onsets from June 19 to August 2. And the pepper did not stay a pepper. Taylor Fresh Foods recalled prepared salads, dips, burritos, guacamole, and salsa made with the peppers, shipped to 26 states with best-if-used-by dates through August 16. Whole Foods recalled house-made salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo, and prepared foods. Salata recalled a jalapeño avocado dressing sold at H-E-B in Texas. Retailers named in the recalls included Kroger, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Stop & Shop, and Hannaford. It can take several weeks to connect a new illness to an outbreak, so the count is likely to rise.

What it means for you

An ingredient recall spreads sideways into products you would never think to check. Your receipt says "guacamole", not "Sinaloa jalapeños". Recalls that start with one ingredient are a pattern, not an exception: see the most common causes of food recalls.

How EatSure closes the gap

EatSure matches at the product level, not the ingredient name you happen to remember. Receipt items are checked against the full recall record, including secondary recalls like these, so the store-brand guacamole on your July receipt is flagged when its recall posts. The alert comes with a plain explanation of what was recalled and how to tell your package apart.

What to do if you have it

• Check your refrigerator for salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, dips, burritos, sandwiches, or salads made with fresh jalapeños, especially Taylor Fresh Foods products with best-if-used-by dates through August 16, Whole Foods house-made salsa and guacamole, and Salata Jalapeño Avocado Dressing from H-E-B.
• If a product is on a recall list, do not eat it. Throw it away or return it.
• Salmonella symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after eating: diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. See a doctor for a high fever, bloody diarrhea, or signs of dehydration.