Coast Citrus Distributors jalapeƱo outbreak causes widespread food recalls across multiple states
Coast Citrus Distributors is the primary source of a multistate Salmonella Javiana outbreak linked to fresh jalapeƱos imported from Sinaloa, Mexico. The FDA and CDC are investigating the outbreak, which has infected 431 people across 32 states as of August 21. While no deaths have been reported, 57 people have been hospitalized. This contamination has triggered a series of recalls for various products, including guacamole, salsas, and pico de gallo, as with many other food safety alerts currently active. Other notable recalls include frozen berries from Publix, which were linked to E. coli, and various meat products from Argentina that entered the U.S. without proper inspection. Additionally, manufacturers have recalled tomato soup kits, plant-based vegan cheddar puffs, and various spice mixes due to potential listeria, milk contamination, and salmonella. Experts note that while the number of alerts may seem high, it does not necessarily indicate a record-breaking spike in food recalls, as a single contamination event can lead to multiple recalls across different brands and companies.