Chipotle Mexican Grill removes jalapeños from restaurants following potential salmonella outbreak in Minnesota
Chipotle Mexican Grill removed jalapeños from its restaurants after identifying the peppers as a potential source of a salmonella outbreak in Minnesota. The company acted out of an abundance of caution, replacing the peppers with products from different growers to ensure food safety. Minnesota Department of Health officials confirmed 110 cases in the state, with Chipotle being the primary restaurant chain involved in the investigation. The Food and Drug Administration is currently conducting a traceback probe on multiple ingredients to identify the source of the contamination. While Chipotle has faced significant foodborne illness issues in the years past, the company has since implemented enhanced food safety programs and employee training. The news caused Chipotle Mexican Grill shares to drop nearly 10% on Tuesday. The company remains unaffected by the cyclospora outbreak, though it is bracing for lower sales due to the broader industry impact of that ongoing illness.