Whole Foods in the United States announced on Wednesday, August 12, that it is recalling some fresh produce and deli products containing jalapenos from Mexico due to potential salmonella contamination.
According to a report by Reuters on Wednesday, Whole Foods stated that all affected products have been removed from shelves. Consumers who have purchased these products are advised to discard them and contact the store for a refund.
The recall includes certain salsa, avocado sauce, Mexican tomato chili sauce (pico de gallo), and other deli products.
Whole Foods explained that the recall was initiated because the Mexican jalapenos used in these products were supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors, which has recently been added to the recall list.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mentioned that as of now, there have been no illness reports related to the recalled products from Whole Foods.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently collaborating with state and local health departments to investigate a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections.
So far, the outbreak has affected 27 states, with a total of 345 confirmed cases, including 36 hospitalizations.
Health officials have identified a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, who supplies Coast Citrus Distributors, as a potential source of contamination.
Additionally, Taylor Farms recalled deli products containing Mexican jalapenos this week due to similar contamination concerns, including salsa and avocado sauce sold by retailers such as Whole Foods and Walmart.
Health authorities warn that salmonella infection can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with potentially more severe effects in infants, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.