Outbreak Summary
OFT Law has filed the first federal lawsuit against Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. on behalf of a Minnesota woman who suffered life-threatening sepsis after eating Salmonella-contaminated food.
While state health officials initially identified over 110 cases in Minnesota, federal data from the FDA and CDC confirms that this Salmonella Javiana outbreak has expanded nationwide, with at least 345 confirmed illnesses spanning multiple states. Epidemiologists have linked the outbreak to contaminated fresh jalapeño peppers imported by Coast Citrus Distributors from Sinaloa, Mexico and served at Chipotle, QDOBA, and other Mexican restaurants.
Chipotle has confirmed that it traced the contamination to a common lot of fresh jalapeños distributed across its locations. However, because Salmonella cases are historically underreported and testing is ongoing, public health experts expect the total number of victims to rise significantly.
If you or a loved one contracted a confirmed Salmonella infection after eating at Chipotle or consuming fresh jalapeños, please contact OFT Law using the form on this page or call our legal team at 888-828-7087 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
More Details
Pathogen: Salmonella Javiana
Contaminated Item: Fresh jalapeños
Confirmed Cases: 345
Exposure Window: Illnesses reported after eating at affected restaurants between June 14 and July 14, 2026.
Impacted Restaurants: Out of 84 sickened individuals interviewed by health investigators in Minnesota, roughly 75% reported dining at a Chipotle restaurant, with the remainder reporting meals at other local Mexican-style restaurants.
Salmonella infections typically develop 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food. Symptoms include:
Severe or watery diarrhea
Severe abdominal cramps
Fever and chills
Nausea and vomiting
While most people recover within 4 to 7 days without medical treatment, severe cases can require hospitalization. Children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are at a significantly higher risk for serious complications.
If you ate at a Chipotle or another Mexican restaurant in Minnesota between mid-June and mid-July 2026 and experienced symptoms of food poisoning:
Seek Medical Care: Ask your healthcare provider for a specific stool culture test to confirm a Salmonella infection.
Report Your Illness: Notify your local or state health department to assist with their ongoing outbreak tracking.
Preserve Evidence: Keep your receipts, order confirmations (such as app delivery records), and medical records.
Consult a Food Safety Lawyer: Contact OFT Law for a free case evaluation.
If you contracted Salmonella Javiana from contaminated restaurant food, you have legal rights. OFT Law is a national leader in food safety litigation based right here in Minneapolis. Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for victims of restaurant-related outbreaks, securing compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.