Taylor Fresh Foods, the parent of Taylor Farms, announced a voluntary recall of prepared foods that contain jalapenos because of a possible salmonella contamination. The recall follows an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that linked fresh jalapenos from a Mexican grower to a multistate outbreak.
Scope of the recall
The company said it is pulling any finished product that includes jalapenos supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors. The list covers salsa, taco dip, pico de gallo, guacamole, diced jalapenos, rice and bean burrito, spicy roast beef sandwich, spicy pimento cheese dip and fiesta style shrimp salad. Products were shipped to retail distribution centres in 26 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The "best if used by" dates extend to 16 August 2026.
Major U.S. retailers such as Walmart, Target, Trader Joe's, Kroger and Whole Foods sold the affected items. Consumers who have any of the products are advised to discard them immediately and to seek a refund at the place of purchase.
Implications for Canada
Although the recall targets the United States, the products are part of supply chains that also serve Canadian markets. Walmart operates stores across Canada and carries similar jalapeno based items, prompting health officials to warn Canadians to check their pantry for the recalled goods. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued a notice asking retailers and consumers to remain vigilant and to report any illness that matches salmonella symptoms.
PHAC said the agency monitors cross‑border food safety incidents closely and will work with U.S. counterparts if any cases emerge in Canada. The agency also reminded the public that salmonella symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, dehydration and abdominal cramps, and that vulnerable groups such as young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may require hospital care.
In a statement, Taylor Fresh Foods said it is no longer sourcing jalapenos from the identified Mexican farmer and will obtain the peppers from alternative growers. The company added that it is not aware of any illnesses linked to its own products.
Restaurants that use fresh jalapenos, including Chipotle Mexican Grill, have already removed the peppers from their menus as a precaution. Chipotle said it replaced the ingredient with product from different growers and that guest safety remains its top priority.
The recall comes weeks after Taylor Farms withdrew iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico because of a separate cyclospora outbreak that sickened thousands of Americans. The successive recalls highlight the challenges food producers face in tracing ingredients that travel long distances before reaching consumers.
Consumers with the recalled items should discard them promptly. Retailers are expected to honour refunds, and health agencies will continue to track any related illnesses in both the United States and Canada.
Based on reporting by Global News.