Salmonella Linked Jalapeños: What Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa Residents Need to Know

A multistate Salmonella outbreak connected to fresh jalapeño peppers has health officials warning consumers across the country, including residents in the Midwest. Federal health officials say the outbreak is linked to jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.

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The latest update from the CDC and FDA on August 5th show 345 illnesses across 27 states, with 36 people hospitalized. Thankfully there have been no reported deaths. States currently reporting cases include: AL, AR, CA, CO, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, and WY.

Credit: CDC.gov | Salmonella outbreak as of 1:46 pm 8/7/2026

Both Illinois and Wisconsin are included in confirmed cases connected to this investigation. The outbreak has been tied largely to restaurant exposure, including chains Chipotle and QDOBA. Many people reported they ate at Mexican-style restaurants before becoming sick. Health officials found that 93 percent of interviewed patients reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before their illness.

So, should Iowa residents be worried? Right now, Iowa's not listed among the states with confirmed cases. However, Iowa is surrounded by affected states, and residents should still pay attention to updates from public health officials. The main culprit to watch for here is specifically recalled fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Credit: Unsplash / Acton Crawford

Good news for customers? Officials say there is no current ongoing risk from Chipotle or QDOBA. Both companies removed the affected jalapeños after being notified of the outbreak, switched suppliers, and stopped serving jalapeños during the investigation.

The CDC states consumers should watch for symptoms of Salmonella infection, including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms can appear within hours or even up to several days after exposure. People with severe symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, dehydration, a high fever, or symptoms lasting more than a few days, should see a doctor.

The FDA investigation remains open as officials continue tracing where the recalled peppers were distributed. For now, consumers should avoid eating recalled jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors. If you recently ate jalapeños at a restaurant and developed symptoms linked to Salmonella, take those symptoms seriously and contact your doctor.