Whole Foods Market has issued a new recall for additional products made with jalapeño peppers sourced from Coast Citrus Distributors, as federal investigators continue to trace a salmonella outbreak that has now sickened hundreds across the country.
The recall, announced Wednesday, covers a range of salsas, guacamole, and other dips sold at Whole Foods locations in Illinois and Texas. It comes on the heels of a broader recall initiated by Taylor Fresh Farms, which pulled dozens of products from shelves at various retailers across 26 states over concerns tied to the same pepper supplier.
Coast Citrus Distributors, based in Mexico, has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a likely source of the contamination. The agency reports more than 300 confirmed cases of salmonella across 27 states, with hospitalizations and no reported deaths so far. Investigators are still working to determine the full scope of the outbreak, which has prompted a massive recall of dips and salsas nationwide.
The initial Taylor Fresh Farms recall included items sold under multiple brand names, including private labels at Whole Foods, Kroger, and other grocers. Whole Foods' latest action expands that list to include additional products that may have been distributed to its stores in the two states, though the company said no illnesses have been linked directly to the newly recalled items.
Consumers who purchased any of the affected products are urged to discard them immediately or return them to the store for a full refund. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has posted a complete list of recalled items on its website, and Whole Foods has also published a notice on its own recall page.
Salmonella infections can cause serious symptoms, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Common signs include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that typically appear within 12 to 72 hours after exposure. Most people recover without treatment, but severe cases may require hospitalization.
This outbreak is part of a broader pattern of foodborne illness linked to fresh produce. Earlier this year, the CDC tied a separate salmonella cluster to jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, and Taylor Farms also faced twin outbreaks involving cyclospora and salmonella in different product lines. Food safety experts say these incidents highlight persistent vulnerabilities in the produce supply chain, particularly for peppers imported from Mexico.
The FDA and CDC are continuing to investigate the Coast Citrus Distributors supply chain and have not ruled out further recalls. Retailers and distributors have been advised to check their inventories and remove any affected products from shelves.
Whole Foods said it is cooperating fully with regulators and has already removed the newly recalled items from store shelves. Customers with questions can contact the company's customer service line or visit their local store for more information.
