Chipotle Removes Jalapeños After Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 110

Chipotle Mexican Grill removed jalapeños from its restaurants after the chain was linked to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 110 people in Minnesota. The company's chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, Laurie Schalow, described the removal as a proactive step taken after identifying a potential salmonella issue within a supply chain used by multiple food-service retailers.

Epidemiological data indicates the outbreak spread to 15 states, with illness onsets occurring between June 14 and July 14. Of 84 interviewed sick individuals, 75 had eaten at Chipotle. The Minnesota Department of Health confirmed that the chain cooperated fully and stated that Chipotle is no longer a concern following the removal of the peppers.

Market reaction was immediate, with Chipotle shares falling as much as 8.5% on Tuesday. Meanwhile, federal authorities are investigating a wider Salmonella Javiana contamination that has affected 212 people, as detailed in a July 22 investigation posted by the Food and Drug Administration.