DDPHE Blog: What You Should Know About the Recent Salmonella Outbreak

DDPHE Blog: What You Should Know About the Recent Salmonella Outbreak

Published on August 14, 2026

Public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to jalapeño peppers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) and public health officials in other states are working together to learn more about the illnesses and identify how people may have been exposed.

The good news: There is no ongoing risk to consumers at Chipotle Mexican Grill or QDOBA related to this outbreak. The jalapeño peppers linked to the outbreak were recalled, and the CDC and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not consider there to be an ongoing risk to consumers at these establishments.

What you should know

Jalapeño peppers linked to this outbreak were distributed to several restaurants in the United States, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA. The implicated product has been recalled. Additional products have been recalled from grocery stores in many states, but not in Colorado.

In Colorado, CDPHE, DDPHE and other local public health agencies are interviewing people diagnosed with Salmonella infection to learn what foods they ate and where they may have been exposed in the week before they became sick. This information helps public health officials identify potential connections between illnesses and determine how an outbreak may have occurred.

What are the symptoms of Salmonella?

Salmonella infection can cause:

• Diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody
• Stomach cramps, which can be severe
• Fever
• Nausea, vomiting or headache

Symptoms usually begin 12 to 36 hours after infection but can take up to six days to appear. Most people recover within four to seven days.

Some people are at greater risk for severe illness, including children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems. More serious illness can include a high fever above 102°F, body aches, headache, lethargy, rash or blood in the urine or stool. Contact your health care provider if you experience these symptoms.

If you have diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and talk with your health care provider before taking anti-diarrheal medication. Antibiotics may be used to treat some cases of severe illness, but most people recover without antibiotics.

How does Salmonella spread?

Salmonella bacteria are most commonly spread through food or water contaminated with bacteria from human or animal feces. Some pets and other animals can carry Salmonella, which can spread through contact with animals, their habitats or belongings. Person-to-person spread is less common but can occur, particularly within households.

Protect yourself and your family

Good food safety and hand hygiene can help prevent Salmonella and other foodborne illnesses:

• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or preparing food and after using the restroom.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating or preparing them.
• Clean surfaces after preparing food.
• Keep raw meat, poultry, eggs and seafood separate from other foods.
• Cook foods to the appropriate safe internal temperature.
• Wash your hands after touching, feeding or playing with pets and after visiting places where animals live, such as coops, barns and stalls.

If you become sick

You can also help prevent spreading Salmonella to others:

• Stay home if you have diarrhea until your symptoms have improved.
• Avoid preparing food for other people while you are sick.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the restroom.
• Wait to swim or soak in shared water, such as pools, hot tubs or lakes, until two weeks after your diarrhea ends.

What to expect if public health calls you

If you have been diagnosed with Salmonella, you may receive a call from DDPHE as part of our disease investigation. These calls are a routine and confidential part of public health work. Disease Intervention Specialists may ask about your symptoms, when you became sick, foods you ate, travel, contact with animals and people you may have been around. This information helps public health officials identify possible sources of illness and prevent others from getting sick. Calls generally take 10 to 30 minutes, and you should answer the questions as honestly and completely as you can.

Learn more: What to Expect When Public Health Calls You

When to report illness

If you are concerned that you may have become sick after eating at Chipotle Mexican Grill or QDOBA, or you are concerned that you may have a Salmonella infection, contact your health care provider and report your illness to DDPHE.

Reporting suspected foodborne illness helps public health investigators identify potential outbreaks, investigate possible sources and protect others from becoming sick.

• Public Health & Environment