Chipotle shares fall 9% after jalapeño removal in Minnesota

Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill fell sharply on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, after the company announced it had removed jalapeños from its restaurants in Minnesota amid a state investigation into a salmonella outbreak. The stock dropped as much as 9% in afternoon trading.

The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Javiana that has sickened 110 people in the state. Health officials interviewed 84 of those individuals and found that 75 reported eating at a Chipotle restaurant between June 14 and July 14. The remaining individuals reported eating at other Mexican-style quick-service restaurants. Officials said the epidemiological evidence strongly points to jalapeños as the suspected source, impacting several food service retailers.

In response, Chipotle stated it proactively removed the specific lot of jalapeños from all restaurants that received them and replaced the product with peppers from different growers. The company framed the move as a precaution taken after learning of a potential salmonella issue in a supply chain serving multiple businesses. Laurie Schalow, Chipotle's chief corporate affairs and food safety officer, said the company...