NEW YORK (WLKI)- Federal health officials say jalapeño peppers linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak have been traced to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico.
At least 345 people in 27 states have reportedly become sick in connection with the outbreak.
Most cases have been reported in Minnesota and Colorado.
Thirty-six people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that the peppers were brought into the United States by Coast Citrus Distributors.
The company has recalled the peppers and is notifying customers who may have received the affected produce.
Some of those customers include prominent Mexican food restaurant chains.
The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate whether contaminated jalapeños were also distributed through grocery stores.
Health officials in Mexico have also launched an investigation and visited a packing facility in the northern state of Nuevo Leon.
Federal investigators say there is a strong connection between the outbreak and Mexican-style restaurants.
Of 191 people interviewed as part of the investigation, 177 -- or 93% -- reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant between June 14 and July 14.
Those restaurants included Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba.
Chipotle said it removed jalapeños from some restaurants.
Qdoba said it proactively removed jalapeños from all of its restaurants.
CDC officials said that because both companies removed the potentially affected product, neither restaurant was considered an ongoing risk to consumers.
Sweetgreen also removed jalapeños from its menu.
The chain uses jalapeños in two of its 15 dressings.
The announcement comes as Sweetgreen is already dealing with customer concerns about a separate cyclospora outbreak involving iceberg lettuce.
Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
Symptoms can begin within hours or days after exposure and generally last four to seven days.
Most people recover without medical treatment, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness.
The CDC estimates that salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections in the United States every year.
Outbreaks have previously been associated with foods including cucumbers, eggs, unpasteurized milk, fresh basil and other products.
Federal officials say consumers should continue to monitor recall information as the investigation develops.
The FDA may announce additional actions as investigators determine whether contaminated jalapeños reached grocery stores or other businesses.
The outbreak has also affected restaurant companies financially.
Shares of Chipotle dropped sharply following news of the outbreak, while Sweetgreen shares also fell after the company announced it was removing jalapeños from its menu.
For now, federal and Mexican health officials continue investigating the source and distribution of the contaminated peppers while affected companies work to remove potentially contaminated products from circulation.
Consumers who develop symptoms consistent with salmonella should contact a healthcare provider, particularly if symptoms are severe or persistent.