Chipotle Pulls Jalapeños Amid Minnesota Salmonella Outbreak Investigation

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has pulled jalapeños from select restaurant locations after public health authorities identified the ingredient as a potential source of a regional Salmonella outbreak, sending the company’s shares down sharply on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Department of Health has identified 110 cases of Salmonella Javiana tied to an outbreak associated with Mexican-style quick-service restaurants. Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in the department’s foodborne diseases unit, stated that among 84 ill individuals interviewed, 89% reported eating at Chipotle between mid-June and last month.

In response to the probe, Chipotle activated its ingredient traceability system and identified a shared lot of jalapeños as a potential common link across several food service operators. The company proactively removed the produce from affected outlets, replacing them with stock from alternative growers.

“We have a robust ingredient traceability system,” said Laurie Schalow, Chipotle’s chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, noting the company’s immediate response upon learning of the public health investigation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is also conducting a traceback investigation into jalapeños and other potential contamination sources across the supply chain. Chipotle acknowledged that the public health investigation involves supply chain disruptions impacting multiple food service retailers.

Market reaction was immediate, with Chipotle shares tumbling 7.3% to close at $33.82, down as much as 9.7% during intraday trading. Investors remain acutely sensitive to food safety concerns at the chain following a major 2015 crisis, when separate E. coli outbreaks sickened 60 people across multiple states and a Minnesota Salmonella outbreak was linked to contaminated tomatoes at a local outlet.