Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeños at Chipotle caused 36 hospitalizations, health officials say

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that there have been 36 hospitalizations from the Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican jalapeño peppers. 

There have been no deaths reported from the outbreak, Reuters reported, but 345 people in 27 states have been sickened with Salmonella poisoning. 

Salmonella infections can ​cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. These symptoms can be particularly severe in young children, older ​adults and people with weakened immune systems.

The Minnesota Department of Health said it has identified 110 salmonella cases in the state. The department interviewed 84 people who had come down with the symptoms, and 89% reported eating at Chipotle from mid-June to July. 

Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in the department’s foodborne diseases unit, said Chipotle is cooperating with the investigation, providing records and removing jalapeños suspected of being contaminated from its restaurants. The FDA said in a statement that it doesn't consider there to be an ongoing risk from the chain. 

It's not the first time Chipotle has faced outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, which led to the chain adopting stricter food safety procedures. Chipotle shares fell more than 8% on Tuesday after it announced it had removed the peppers from the Minnesota restaurants.