Editor's note: This story has been edited to include the latest outbreak updates, listed chronologically at the bottom of the article. Alternatively, you can read the most recent coverage here.

In a statement published on August 4 on the company's website, Chipotle Mexican Grill said that it had identified a potential connection between an ongoing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation of a supply chain-related outbreak of Salmonella Javiana and jalapeño peppers served at some of its restaurants.

Chipotle said the outbreak is impacting several foodservice retailers, and that it is cooperating with public health authorities during the ongoing investigation.

As of August 4, the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table lists the Salmonella Javiana outbreak as having an unidentified source and an illness count of 212 people, with 110 cases in Minnesota alone.

Chipotle stated, "As part of our established health and safety protocols, upon learning of a potential outbreak, we immediately initiated our ingredient traceability system and were able to identify jalapeños as a potential common ingredient from a common lot, and the restaurants where it was distributed."

Citing "an abundance of caution," Chipotle said it had removed the identified jalapeños from its restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers.

The full statement by Chipotle can be viewed here.

Update, August 6: FDA reported an outbreak case count of 321, up from 212, on its CORE Investigation Table. The source of the outbreak is still listed as "Not Yet Identified." 

However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the number of cases at 345 illnesses across 27 states, with 36 hospitalizations, as of August 5. According to CDC, the outbreak has been definitively linked to jalapeño peppers.

According to a Washington Post report on August 6, fast-casual restaurant chain Qdoba Mexican Eats has also removed the identified jalapeños from all of its restaurants after illnesses were linked to its menu items in seven states.

Update, August 7: CDC reported that epidemiologic and traceback data show that jalapeño peppers from Sinaloa, Mexico and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors are the source of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana. Coast Citrus Distributors has agreed to recall jalapeño peppers linked to the outbreak.

Update, August 10: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) issued a public health alert on August 8 for meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated jalapeños that may be contaminated with Salmonella Javiana. The list of recalled products is available here. FSIS said it expects additional downstream products to be identified as the recall progresses. The agency also noted that there are no confirmed reports of illness associated with the recalled FSIS-regulated products containing the affected jalapeños.

FDA also announced a downstream recall of products containing recalled jalapeños distributed by Taylor Fresh Foods to 26 states. Affected retailers include Hannaford, Kroger, Stop and Shop, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Taylor Fresh Foods is no longer sourcing products from this grower and will be filling orders from alternative suppliers.

Update, August 13, 2026: Whole Foods Market recalled select salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo, and prepared foods products that contain jalapeños sourced from Coast Citrus Distributors. Whole Foods recalled products were sold online and in the Produce and Prepared Foods departments in 12 Midwestern and Southern states, with "Best By" dates of 8/7/2026–8/16/2026.

Update, August 20, 2026: The number of illnesses reported in the outbreak has climbed to 431 people across 32 states. There have been 57 hospitalizations and no deaths.

Update, October 5, 2026: The outbreak and FDA's investigation have ended with 488illnesses, 65 hospitalizations, and zero deaths in 34 states. Illness onset ranged between June 16 and August 26, 2026. Of the 308 people interviewed, 281 (91 percent) reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before falling ill, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba, with meal dates ranging from June 14 to July 29, 2026.

FDA investigators visited a common Mexican distributor identified through traceback and conducted an inspection that included observing operations, reviewing records, and sample collection. At the time of inspection, no jalapeños were available for sampling. FDA collected environmental samples, which were all reported as negative for Salmonella. FDA was unable to determine a route or source of contamination for the outbreak.