Salmonella risk leads Taylor Farms to recall jalapeño products in the US
More than a dozen products manufactured by Taylor Farms are being recalled from the market due to suspected salmonella contamination. The items, which contain jalapeño peppers, were sold in large retail chains in the United States.
The list of affected products is varied, including sauces, spreads, sandwiches and other foods. They were distributed in 26 American states and sold in establishments such as Kroger, Target, Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Whole Foods.
The company advises consumers to immediately discard any recalled product that has an expiration date up to and including August 16. Refunds are available directly at points of purchase, Taylor Fresh Foods reported.
At the time of the statement, Taylor Fresh Foods said it was not aware of any cases of illness associated with the recalled products.
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Connection between the recall and other salmonella outbreaks
The jalapeños used in Taylor Farms products were supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. That same company is involved in a salmonella outbreak that has spread across several states, linked to peppers used in restaurants like Chipotle and Qdoba. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assured there is no ongoing risk from these restaurants, but the original outbreak caused approximately 350 cases of illness and 36 hospitalizations, according to data from the FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Coast Citrus Distributors also carried out a voluntary recall of fresh jalapeño peppers due to the risk of salmonella. Both Chipotle, QDOBA and Taylor Fresh Foods have announced that they have stopped purchasing food from this supplier.
Understanding salmonella and how the infection occurs
Salmonella is a bacteria that resides in the intestinal tract. Infection in humans most often occurs through ingestion of food or water contaminated with animal feces.
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The CDC estimates that salmonella annually is responsible for about 1.35 million infections and approximately 420 deaths in the United States.
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This year, the United States has recorded several salmonella outbreaks. In addition to the incident associated with jalapeños, there have been cases linked to eggs and pets, such as backyard chickens and chameleons.
Symptoms of infection and risk groups
People infected with salmonella often develop symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, nausea or vomiting, and may have diarrhea, sometimes bloody. These symptoms usually last four to seven days, and most patients recover without specific treatment. However, more serious symptoms can appear in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people with compromised immune systems.
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Essential measures to prevent salmonella
To avoid salmonella, public health experts recommend important practices. It is essential to wash your hands and raw fruits and vegetables well before consumption. Additionally, it is crucial to keep raw meats, poultry, eggs and seafood separate from ready-to-eat foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to avoid cross-contamination.
