Chipotle said on Tuesday it had removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants after identifying the peppers as a potential ingredient tied to a salmonella outbreak, replacing them with supplies from different growers. The company said it began tracing ingredients through its supply chain after learning of a potential outbreak and identified jalapeños from a common lot as a possible source.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapenos from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers,”
Chipotle added that it was cooperating with public health authorities investigating the outbreak. Shares of Chipotle fell 7% in Tuesday afternoon trading.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bloomberg News reported the company had removed jalapeños from multiple stores after learning the peppers may be linked to a salmonella outbreak in the state that has sickened 110 people.
That outbreak is separate from one centering on cases of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal illness, that has affected nine states. The cyclosporiasis outbreak had sickened more than 6,700 people nationwide, including who died.
An FDA investigation linked the cyclosporiasis outbreak to iceberg lettuce sourced from privately held Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, but authorities are still looking for other potential sources.
How does this connect to other food safety investigations?
The jalapeño removal comes as US health authorities are also investigating a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak. That outbreak has affected nine states and sickened more than 6,700 people nationwide, including who died.
In that case, an FDA investigation linked the illness to iceberg lettuce sourced from privately held Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, though authorities are still searching for other possible sources.
What did Chipotle say about the peppers?
Chipotle said it traced ingredients through its supply chain after learning of a potential outbreak and identified jalapeños from a common lot as a possible source. The company said it replaced the peppers with product from different growers and is cooperating with public health authorities.
How did investors react?
Shares of Chipotle fell 7% in Tuesday afternoon trading after the company disclosed the removal of the peppers.
Key Facts
- Chipotle removed jalapeños from some restaurants on Tuesday.
- The company said the peppers were a potential source in a salmonella outbreak.
- The outbreak reported by Bloomberg News had sickened 110 people in the state.
- Chipotle said it replaced the peppers with supplies from different growers.
- Shares fell 7% in Tuesday afternoon trading.
