Chipotle removes jalapeños amid US salmonella outbreak investigation

Chipotle announced Tuesday it removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants, identifying the peppers as a potential ingredient linked to a salmonella outbreak. The company is replacing the peppers with supplies from different growers and is cooperating with public health authorities investigating the outbreak.

Chipotle began tracing ingredients through its supply chain after learning of a potential outbreak. The company stated, "Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapenos from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers."

Shares of Chipotle fell 7% in Tuesday afternoon trading. Earlier, Bloomberg News reported the company had removed jalapeños from multiple stores in Minnesota after learning the peppers may be linked to a salmonella outbreak in the state that has sickened 110 people.

This outbreak is separate from a larger cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting nine states, which has sickened more than 6,700 people nationwide and caused two deaths in Michigan. An FDA investigation linked that outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, but authorities are still seeking other potential sources.

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Out of an abundance of caution, we proactively removed the jalapenos from our restaurants and replaced them with product from different growers.