Taylor Fresh Foods, a California-based produce distributor, has voluntarily recalled more than a dozen ready-to-eat products containing jalapeños due to potential salmonella contamination, the company announced on Sunday. The recall follows a multistate outbreak linked by federal health officials to fresh jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors.
The recalled products include salsa, guacamole, taco dip, and pico de gallo, distributed to major retailers such as Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Chipotle. The affected items were sent to retail distribution centers in 26 states, including California, Texas, New York, and Florida. Taylor Fresh Foods stated it has not received any reports of illnesses linked to its recalled products.
The recall comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, as the likely source of the salmonella outbreak, which has sickened at least 345 people across 27 states. Health officials conducted a traceback investigation, interviewing 191 affected individuals. Of those, 177 reported eating at Mexican-style restaurants, including Chipotle and Qdoba, before falling ill.
Scope of the Recall and Affected Products
Taylor Fresh Foods confirmed the recall includes products with "Best If Used By" dates up to and including August 16, 2026. Consumers are advised to discard any recalled items immediately and avoid consumption. The company stated it has ceased sourcing from the implicated grower and is now using alternative suppliers.
The recalled products were distributed to retail centers in the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
Regulatory Response and Company Actions
The FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating the outbreak. The agency noted that the Sinaloa-based grower supplied contaminated jalapeños to Coast Citrus Distributors, which then provided them to Taylor Fresh Foods.
Taylor Fresh Foods emphasized in a press release that it acted proactively upon notification of the potential contamination. The company stated:
“Upon notification that Coast Citrus Distributors is voluntarily recalling fresh jalapeños due to potential Salmonella contamination, Taylor Fresh Foods is recalling finished products containing jalapeños subject to this recall.”
This recall follows a previous voluntary recall by Taylor Fresh Foods in June, which involved imported lettuce linked to a cyclosporiasis outbreak affecting 15 states and tens of thousands of people.
Consumer and Industry Impact
While no illnesses have been directly tied to Taylor Fresh Foods’ jalapeño products, the recall adds to concerns about food safety in imported produce. The company’s decision to halt sourcing from the implicated grower reflects broader industry efforts to mitigate contamination risks.
Retailers and restaurants, including Chipotle, have taken precautionary measures by removing jalapeños from some locations pending further investigation. The FDA’s traceback investigation remains ongoing, with officials continuing to interview affected individuals to identify additional sources of contamination.
Background: The Salmonella Outbreak
Federal health officials traced the outbreak to fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. The FDA’s investigation revealed that 177 of 191 interviewed patients reported eating at Mexican-style restaurants before becoming ill. The outbreak has affected 345 people across 27 states, including California, where the first cases were reported.
The FDA has not yet issued a mandatory recall but continues to work with Mexican authorities to assess growing and distribution practices. The agency has also reiterated calls for enhanced food safety measures in the produce supply chain.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged to return them to the place of purchase or dispose of them immediately. Retailers have been instructed to remove affected items from shelves. The FDA has set up a hotline (1-888-SAFE-FOOD) for questions about the recall.
Taylor Fresh Foods has pledged to cooperate fully with health authorities and maintain transparency throughout the investigation. The company stated it is committed to ensuring the safety of its products and preventing future contamination incidents.