Federal health officials have warned that some meat products with jalapenos may be linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened hundreds of people across the United States.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a public health alert on Saturday. The alert covers red meat and poultry products that contain jalapenos. The products may contain peppers linked to the ongoing salmonella outbreak.
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service found the issue after learning that several regulated food businesses had received a recalled ingredient. That ingredient was used in some meat and poultry products.
The agency has listed 18 products affected by the alert. The list includes products sold under brands such as Taylor Farms, Ready Meals, Meal Simple, Higher Harvest and Deli Kitchen.
The USDA said more products may be added as the ingredient recall moves forward. This means consumers may see more affected products identified in the coming days.
Officials have not confirmed that any illness came from the meat or poultry products covered by the alert. The USDA said there are no confirmed reports of illness tied to FSIS regulated products that contain jalapenos from Sinaloa, Mexico.
The warning is part of a wider investigation into a salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeno peppers. The first illnesses were reported in mid June, according to federal health officials.
The peppers were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. They were distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors to wholesalers, restaurants and food service companies.
By August 5, at least 345 people had become sick in the outbreak. Thirty six people had been admitted to hospitals, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak has affected people in at least 27 states. Minnesota has reported a large share of the cases, with at least 110 people confirmed sick in the state.
Health data also shows a strong link between the outbreak and Mexican style restaurants. Of 191 sick people who were asked about what they ate before becoming ill, 93 percent said they had eaten at a Mexican style restaurant.
Some people reported eating at major restaurant chains, including Chipotle and Qdoba.
The two restaurant chains have taken steps to remove jalapenos from some locations. Chipotle said this week that it had removed the peppers from some restaurants. Qdoba later took a similar step.
Salmonella can cause illness after a person eats food contaminated with the bacteria. Common symptoms can include diarrhea, fever and stomach pain. Symptoms may begin after exposure and can last for several days.
The current alert does not mean that every meat or poultry product containing jalapenos is unsafe. It applies to products that may contain the recalled ingredient.
Consumers should check the USDA list of affected products and follow any safety instructions linked to the alert. People who have the listed products should not eat them if they are subject to the alert.
The USDA also expects more products may be identified. Food businesses that received the recalled ingredient may have used it in other products before the recall was issued.
The investigation remains active as federal agencies work to trace the source of the illnesses and identify products that may contain the affected peppers.
So far, officials have not confirmed illnesses from the meat and poultry products covered by the USDA alert. However, the alert shows that the jalapeno recall may affect more foods than restaurant items alone.
With hundreds of illnesses already reported, health officials are continuing to track the outbreak and identify possible sources. Consumers and food businesses are being urged to check new recall information as the investigation continues.
