Chipotle has removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants, replacing them with supplies from different growers. The company identified the peppers as a potential ingredient tied to a salmonella outbreak.
Chipotle stated it began tracing ingredients through its supply chain after learning of a potential outbreak and identified jalapeños from a common lot as a possible source. The company said it proactively removed the jalapeños "out of an abundance of caution" and is cooperating with public health authorities investigating the outbreak.
Earlier on Tuesday, it was reported that Chipotle had removed jalapeños from multiple stores in Minnesota, potentially linked to a salmonella outbreak in that state which has sickened 110 people. Shares of Chipotle fell 7% in Tuesday afternoon trading.
This salmonella outbreak is separate from a cyclosporiasis outbreak that has affected nine states and sickened over 6,700 people nationwide, including two fatalities in Michigan. An FDA investigation linked the cyclosporiasis outbreak to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms operations in central Mexico, but other potential sources are still being sought.