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

Key Points at a Glance

IMPORTANT RECALL ALERT

What happened: Jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors, tested positive for Salmonella

Scale: 345 confirmed illnesses, 36 hospitalizations across 27 states

Where sold: Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, Hannaford, and more

What to do: Check your fridge/freezer for listed products → Do NOT eat them → Throw away or return → Clean surfaces

What’s Going On? (The Simple Version)

Imagine a batch of jalapeños went on a road trip from a farm in Mexico to grocery stores all over the U.S. Along the way, they picked up an unwanted hitchhiker: Salmonella bacteria. Now, over 300 people have gotten sick, and stores are pulling tons of products off shelves.

This isn’t just whole peppers—it’s salsas, guacamoles, dips, burritos, sandwiches, and salads that used those contaminated jalapeños as an ingredient.

Which Products Are Recalled?

There are 19 specific products on the recall list. They were sold at different stores in different states. Here’s the breakdown by store:

Hannaford (Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont)

Diced Jalapeños (UPC: 030223082712) — Best by: 8/7/2026–8/14/2026
Rice and Bean Burrito (UPC: 030223082736) — Best by: 8/7/2026–8/11/2026
Pico de Gallo Salsa (UPC: 688267575778) — Best by: 8/7/2026–8/14/2026

Kroger (AL, AR, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN, TX, IL, IN, KS, KY, MO, NE, OH, WV)

Private Selection Spicy Roast Beef Sandwich (UPC: 011110678171) — Best by: 8/7–8/12/2026
Spicy Jarlsberg Dip (UPC: 030223114826) — Best by: 8/7–8/15/2026
Spicy Pimento Cheese Dip (UPC: 030223116448) — Best by: 8/7–8/15/2026

Stop & Shop (MA, ME, NY)

Pico de Gallo Salsa (UPC: 688267575778) — Best by: 8/7–8/14/2026

Target (FL, OH, TX)

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

Trader Joe’s (TX only)

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

Walmart (FL, IL, LA, MN, NE, OK, TX, WI)

Freshness Guaranteed Hot/Spicy Pico de Gallo (UPC: 681131276351) — Best by: 8/8–8/16/2026
Freshness Guaranteed Mild Pico de Gallo (UPC: 681131276344) — Best by: 8/8–8/16/2026

Whole Foods (IL, TX)

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

HOW TO CHECK: Look at the UPC code (the barcode number) and the "Best if used by" date on the package. If both match a product above, it’s recalled.

Why Are These Being Recalled?

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that lives in the intestines of animals and humans. When it gets on food (usually from contaminated water, soil, or handling), it can make people sick.

What happens if you eat it?

Symptoms start: 6 hours to 6 days after eating
Common signs: Diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever
Most people recover in 4–7 days without treatment
But: Young kids, older adults, and people with weak immune systems can get very sick and may need hospitalization

Timeline of this outbreak:

First illness: June 19, 2026
Last reported illness: July 20, 2026
Source traced to: Jalapeños from a farm in Sinaloa, Mexico
Distributor: Coast Citrus Distributors (supplier to Taylor Farms)
Taylor Farms has stopped buying from that farmer and switched to other suppliers

What Should YOU Do Right Now?

Follow these steps in order:

1. Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry

Look for any of the products listed above
Compare the UPC code and best-by date on the package

2. If you find a match — DO NOT EAT IT

Even if it looks and smells fine
Even if you already ate some and feel fine
Throw it away or return it to the store for a refund

3. If you froze any of these products

Freezing does NOT kill Salmonella
Throw them out

4. Clean anything the product touched

Wash containers, shelves, cutting boards, knives, countertops
Use hot, soapy water → then sanitize (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water)
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling

5. Watch for symptoms

If you get diarrhea, fever, or bad stomach cramps → call your doctor
Tell them you may have eaten recalled jalapeño products
Most cases don’t need antibiotics, but severe cases do

Extra Alert: Meat & Poultry Products Too

The USDA (which handles meat, not the FDA) also issued a Public Health Alert for meat and poultry products that might contain these same contaminated jalapeños. Examples could include:

Pre-made sandwiches with jalapeños
Chicken or beef dishes with salsa/peppers
Prepared meals from deli counters

Same advice: Don’t eat, don’t serve, throw out or return.

Summary: The Bottom Line

What	Details
Contaminant	Salmonella bacteria
Source	Jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico
Distributor	Coast Citrus Distributors → Taylor Farms → retailers
Illnesses	345 confirmed, 36 hospitalized
States affected	27 states
Major retailers	Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, Hannaford
Products recalled	19 specific items (salsas, guacamoles, dips, burritos, sandwiches, salads)
Action needed	Check UPC + date → Discard/return → Clean surfaces → Watch for symptoms

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A: Probably not! If it’s been more than 6 days since you ate it and you have no symptoms, you’re likely in the clear. Salmonella usually shows up within 6 hours to 6 days. But if symptoms start later, call your doctor.

Q: Can I just cook the product to kill the bacteria?

A: NO. Do not try to "cook the danger out." The recall means the product is unsafe. Throw it out or return it. Cooking at home isn’t guaranteed to make it safe, and cross-contamination risk is high.

Q: Does washing the jalapeños or produce help?

A: Washing helps with dirt and some germs, but it does not reliably remove Salmonella that has penetrated the produce or was inside during processing. Recalled products must be discarded.

Q: Are fresh whole jalapeños I bought in the produce section safe?

A: This recall covers specific processed products (salsas, dips, etc.) made with the contaminated jalapeños. If you bought loose whole jalapeños, check with your store — but the main risk is the pre-made products listed above.

Q: Where can I see the official recall notices?

FDA recall page: fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-jalapeno-august-2026
USDA public health alert: fsis.usda.gov

Pro tip: When in doubt, throw it out. A $4 container of salsa isn’t worth a trip to the ER. Stay safe!

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