CDC Issues Urgent Multistate Salmonella Alert

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alongside public health and regulatory officials across multiple states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are actively investigating a growing multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana infections. Federal data shows that 345 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported across 27 states. Illness onset dates range from June 19 to July 20, 2026. Epidemiologic and traceback data indicate that jalapeño peppers imported from Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors are the source of the contamination. Out of 291 people with complete information available, 36 individuals have been hospitalized, representing 12 percent of total documented cases. No deaths have been reported to date. The median age of those infected is 30 years, with a demographic range spanning from under one year to 85 years old. Female patients account for 63 percent of the recorded cases, while males represent 37 percent. White individuals comprise 90 percent of the 181 patients with available race data. Health officials warn that the true number of sick individuals is likely significantly higher than the reported figures, as many people recover without seeking medical care or getting tested for Salmonella. Furthermore, due to the three-to-four-week lag time required to process and confirm outbreak cases, additional recent illnesses are still being evaluated. State and federal authorities advise commercial food businesses and consumers to check their inventories immediately and avoid selling, serving, or consuming the recalled jalapeño peppers.