Big Jalapeño Recall: What You Need to Know About the Salmonella Outbreak

What Happened?

Taylor Farms (also known as Taylor Fresh Foods) is having a really tough summer. First, there was a Cyclospora outbreak linked to leafy greens. Now, there’s a Salmonella outbreak connected to jalapeños they sold.

Here’s the simple timeline:

• Early August 2026: 110 people got sick after eating jalapeños at Chipotle locations in Minnesota
• As a precaution: Qdoba restaurants pulled jalapeños from their stores
• Good news: The FDA says there’s no ongoing risk from Chipotle or Qdoba because they removed the affected product
• The source: The contaminated jalapeños were grown in Sinaloa, Mexico and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors (a Taylor Farms supplier) to retailers in 27 states
• Current toll: 345 confirmed illnesses and 36 hospitalizations

IMPORTANT POINT: Taylor Fresh Foods has stopped buying from this farmer and is now using alternative suppliers.

Which Products Are Recalled?

The recall is huge and covers products sold at major stores nationwide. Check your fridge! The list below shows products by store.

Hannaford

• Diced Jalapeños (Maine & New York)
  • UPC: 030223082712
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/14/2026
• Rice and Bean Burrito (MA, ME, NH, NY, VT)
  • UPC: 030223082736
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/11/2026
• Pico de Gallo Salsa (MA, ME, NY)
  • UPC: 688267575778
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/14/2026

Kroger

• Private Selection Spicy Roast Beef Sandwich PS (AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN, TX)
  • UPC: 011110678171
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/12/2026
• Spicy Jarlsberg Dip (IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, NE, OH, TX, WV)
  • UPC: 030223114826
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/15/2026
• Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip (same states as above)
  • UPC: 030223116448
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/15/2026

Target

• Taylor Farms/Unbranded Taco Dip (FL, OH, TX)
  • UPC: 030223073581
  • Best by: 8/12/2026 – 8/13/2026
• Taylor Farms/Unbranded Mango Pico de Gallo (OH, TX)
  • UPC: 030223073543
  • Best by: 8/8/2026 – 8/13/2026
• Taylor Farms/Unbranded Spicy Guacamole (OH, TX)
  • UPC: 030223073574
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/13/2026
• Taylor Farms Pico de Gallo (TX only)
  • UPC: 030223073536
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/14/2026
• Taylor Farms Authentic Guacamole (TX only)
  • UPC: 030223073567
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/12/2026

Trader Joe’s

• Fiesta Style Salad Shrimp (TX only)
  • UPC: 000000818377
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/12/2026

Walmart (Freshness Guaranteed brand)

• Hot/Spicy Pico de Gallo (FL, IL, LA, MN, NE, OK, WI)
  • UPC: 681131276351
  • Best by: 8/8/2026 – 8/16/2026
• Mild Pico de Gallo (FL, IL, LA, MN, NE, OK, TX, WI)
  • UPC: 681131276344
  • Best by: 8/8/2026 – 8/16/2026

Whole Foods

• Salsa Fresca Medium (IL, TX)
  • UPC: 030223075080
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/16/2026
• Pico de Gallo Mild (IL, TX)
  • UPC: 030223075097
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/16/2026
• Pico de Gallo Spicy (IL, TX)
  • UPC: 030223075608
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/16/2026
• Salsa Roja Medium (IL, TX)
  • UPC: 030223075639
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/16/2026
• Pineapple Mango Salsa Mild (IL, TX)
  • UPC: 030223075653
  • Best by: 8/7/2026 – 8/14/2026

Extra Alert: Meat & Poultry Products Too!

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) also issued a public health alert for meat and poultry products that contain these FDA-regulated jalapeños. They might also be contaminated.

Why Were They Recalled?

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria (tiny germs you can’t see) that makes people sick. The illness is called salmonellosis.

How does it get in food?

It usually comes from animal poop contaminating food during growing, harvesting, or processing. In this case, the jalapeños from Mexico were contaminated somehow.

What are the symptoms?

• Diarrhea (runny poop)
• Abdominal cramps (tummy pain)
• Fever (high temperature)

Timing: Symptoms show up 6 hours to 6 days after eating contaminated food.

When did people get sick?

• First illness: June 19, 2026
• Last reported illness: July 20, 2026

What Should You Do? (Step-by-Step)

If you have any of the products listed above, follow these steps exactly:

1. STOP – Do NOT eat, serve, or sell the product
2. THROW IT OUT – Put it in the trash (even if you froze it)
3. NOT SURE? – If you can’t remember where you bought jalapeños or a jalapeño product, throw it out anyway. Better safe than sorry!
4. CLEAN EVERYTHING – Wash and sanitize:
   • Countertops
   • Cutting boards
   • Knives
   • Containers
   • Fridge shelves
   • Your hands!
5. FEELING SICK? – Call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea, fever, or bad stomach cramps
6. QUESTIONS? – Contact the store where you bought it for a refund

CALLOUT: REMEMBER THESE KEY POINTS

• 345 people sick, 36 hospitalized – this is serious
• 27 states affected – check even if your state isn’t listed above
• Best-by dates are in AUGUST 2026 – products might still be in your fridge/freezer
• Freezing does NOT kill Salmonella – frozen jalapeños are still dangerous
• Cross-contamination is real – clean EVERYTHING the product touched

Summary

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. I ate one of these products but feel fine. Should I worry?

No. If you don’t have symptoms, you don’t need to do anything special. Salmonella symptoms appear within 6 hours to 6 days. Since the last illness was reported July 20, 2026, the window has likely passed. Just don’t eat any remaining product!

2. Can I cook the jalapeños to make them safe?

NO. Do not try to cook, bake, or heat the recalled products to "kill the germs." The FDA says throw them out. It’s not worth the risk.

3. My store isn’t on the list. Am I safe?

The jalapeños went to 27 states, but only specific stores/products are listed above. If you bought any pre-made item with jalapeños (salsa, dip, guacamole, burritos, etc.) in early August 2026, check the UPC and date. When in doubt, throw it out.

4. What about the Cyclospora outbreak mentioned at the beginning?

That’s a separate outbreak caused by a different parasite (Cyclospora) in leafy greens. This article is only about the Salmonella in jalapeños. Both involve Taylor Farms, but they’re different germs in different foods.

5. How do I sanitize my kitchen properly?

1. Wash surfaces with hot, soapy water
2. Sanitize with a solution of 1 tablespoon unscented bleach per 1 gallon of water (or use a store-bought kitchen sanitizer)
3. Let air dry
4. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds

Stay safe, check your fridge, and when in doubt – throw it out!