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FDA classifies Whole Foods guacamole recall as highest risk over salmonella
The FDA has classified a recall of guacamole and salsa dips sold at Whole Foods Market as Class I, the most serious level, over potential salmonella contamination. The recall covers 12,995 units with best-by dates through August 2026, linked to a nationwide jalapeño outbreak that has sickened hundreds.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified a recall of guacamole and salsa dips sold at Whole Foods Market as Class I, its most serious recall level, over potential salmonella contamination. The designation means there is a reasonable probability that consuming the products could cause serious adverse health consequences or death, according to FDA recall guidance.
The recall, first initiated on Aug. 7, covers 10 varieties of mild guacamole and salsa dip, affecting 12,995 units of the refrigerated products. The best-by dates range from Aug. 7, 2026 to Aug. 16, 2026. No illnesses have been reported in connection with these specific products, but the recall is tied to a broader salmonella outbreak that has been traced to jalapeños distributed nationwide by Coast Citrus Distributors, a company based in Sinaloa, Mexico.
Those jalapeños were shipped to 26 states and have been linked to hundreds of illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that at least 431 people have been affected, including 86 new cases, with 57 hospitalizations across 32 states. The CDC advises consumers who have potentially contaminated jalapeños or products made with them to throw them out immediately.
Salmonella infection typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. The CDC lists symptoms that warrant medical attention, including diarrhea with a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, diarrhea lasting more than two days without improvement, bloody diarrhea, vomiting so severe that liquids cannot be kept down, and signs of dehydration such as reduced urination, dizziness, or a dry throat and mouth. Most people recover within four to seven days without treatment, but adults over 65, children under five, and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness.
A Whole Foods spokesperson said in a statement that the company has pulled all recalled products from its shelves. Customers who purchased any of the affected items should throw them away and contact the store for a refund. The company emphasized that customer safety is its top priority.
The outbreak investigation remains ongoing, and health officials continue to monitor for additional cases. Consumers who believe they may have purchased a recalled product are urged to check the best-by date and product codes against the FDA's published list.
