Chipotle Mexican Grill has removed jalapeños from its restaurants nationwide after the peppers were linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 100 people.
In a statement released Aug. 4, Chipotle confirmed it was cooperating with the public health investigation and had identified jalapeños from one common lot as a potential source of contamination in Minnesota.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapeños from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers," it said. Chipotle did not specify which grower had provided the removed peppers.
Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne Diseases Unit, told USA TODAY in a statement Aug.
4 that 110 salmonella javiana cases linked to the outbreak have been identified in the state and 89% of people interviewed reported eating at Chipotle before getting sick.
The outbreak is separate from the foodborne illness, cyclosporiasis, which has sickened more than 11,000 people, hospitalized 193 and killed two others in Michigan.
Chipotle likely not the only restaurant impacted
While it was the first restaurant to be named, investigators believe the bacteria has impacted other restaurants and possibly other states, as well. In its statement, Chipotle said that the outbreak was "impacting several food service retailers," while Medus said it was associated with "Mexican-style quick-service restaurants."
"The cases that reported not eating at Chipotle ate at a variety of other Mexican-style restaurants," she said. "Other states are contributing to the investigation. Based on all the evidence so far, the food that made people sick was served at other restaurants as well."
Though Chipotle said a specific lot number had been identified, the FDA has yet to release a recall or public alert concerning the outbreak.
FDA yet to confirm extent of the outbreak
The FDA's CORE database,which tracks ongoing clusters of foodborne illness, has had an outbreak of salmonellalisted since July 22. As of Wednesday, Aug. 5, it was categorized as "active," with a case count of 212. The FDA confirmed that this is the same outbreak, but declined to provide further information.
"This is an ongoing outbreak and FDA is continuing to work to determine the source of the outbreak and any impacted firms," the agency told USA TODAY on Aug. 4.
"It is too soon for us to know if the outbreak is ongoing," said Medus. "Given the measures Chipotle put in place, we are not concerned about Chipotle; but it is possible that the outbreak is ongoing if the contaminated food item is being served elsewhere. We do expect the case count to increase even if the illnesses occurred a couple of weeks ago, since it takes us a while to detect cases in surveillance."
What Chipotle items have jalapeños?
According to Chipotle's menu, jalapeños are typically found in its chili-corn salsa, pico de gallo and guacamole.
Where can you find Chipotle in Michigan?
Chipotle is home to 72 restaurants throughout the state. You can find your nearest location on Chipotle's website.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chipotle pulls jalapeños. Salmonella outbreak sickens dozens
