Public health alert issued for meat and poultry products containing recalled jalapeños

August 9, 2026 - 14:59

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a public health alert for certain meat and poultry products that contain jalapenos regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The peppers are part of an ongoing recall due to possible Salmonella contamination, and the alert covers items that were produced using these ingredients.

According to the announcement, the issue was discovered after the FDA recalled the jalapenos from a specific supplier. The USDA's alert is meant to inform consumers and retailers that any meat or poultry dish made with those peppers could be unsafe to eat. The products in question may be labeled with different brand names or sold at various stores, so officials are urging people to check any recent purchases for ingredient lists that include jalapenos.

Salmonella can cause serious illness, especially in young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. In some cases, the infection can spread beyond the intestines and require hospitalization. The USDA is advising anyone who has bought these products to either throw them away or return them to the store where they were purchased. Consumers are also reminded to clean any surfaces or utensils that may have touched the contaminated peppers.

The alert does not require a formal recall of the meat and poultry products themselves, but the agency is working with the FDA and the supplier to ensure all affected items are removed from shelves. Anyone with questions can contact the USDA's meat and poultry hotline for more guidance.