Salmonella Contamination Risk Sparks NatureBest Jalapeno Products Recall 2026

A multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers has triggered a voluntary recall of nearly two dozen food products sold under the NatureBest and HEB brands. The peppers, sourced from Sinaloa, Mexico and supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors, are now tied to 345 confirmed illnesses across 27 states, according to the FDA and CDC, which are jointly investigating the outbreak with state and local health partners.

NatureBest Precut & Produce LLC, which operates facilities in Missouri City, Texas and Houston, Texas, announced the recall on August 8, 2026, after being notified by Coast Citrus Distributors that the jalapeños it supplied were themselves subject to recall. The affected finished goods, including Pico de Gallo, stuffed mushrooms, and a soup mix containing jalapeño, were distributed to retail stores in Texas and Louisiana between July 3 and August 5, 2026.

Products Affected by This Recall

The recall spans 18 individually listed products sold under both the ‘NatureBest’ and ‘HEB’ labels. Items include NatureBest Soup Mix, multiple varieties of NatureBest and HEB Pico de Gallo (mild, medium, hot, and mango), NatureBest Diced Jalapeno, HEB Diced Jalapeno, NatureBest Mild Cheddar & Jalapeno Stuffed Mushrooms, and HEB Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Mushrooms. Package sizes range from 3 oz to 58 oz, and lot codes generally fall within the range 190A26184 through 190A26216, with best-by or use-by dates spanning July 12 through August 15, 2026. Consumers are encouraged to check the full lot code and UPC listings against their purchases, since several products share similar packaging but carry different code ranges.

Why Was This Recall Issued?

The recall stems from potential contamination with Salmonella, a bacterium capable of causing serious and occasionally fatal infections, particularly in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals who become infected typically experience fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rarer cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, leading to more severe complications such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, and arthritis.

This action is not an isolated event. It is directly connected to a broader, ongoing multistate outbreak of Salmonella Javiana traced to jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico. Once Coast Citrus Distributors flagged the peppers as compromised, NatureBest moved to recall every finished product manufactured with that supply, even though the company itself did not grow or import the peppers.

Who Is Affected?

The recalled products were sold at retail locations across Texas and Louisiana during the roughly five-week window between early July and early August 2026. Anyone who purchased fresh-cut produce items, prepared salsas, or stuffed mushroom products bearing the NatureBest or HEB brand names during that period should review their refrigerator and pantry for matching items.

Steps Consumers Should Take

NatureBest Precut & Produce LLC has already stopped distributing the affected products and says it is cooperating closely with its supplier and with regulatory authorities as the investigation continues. For consumers, the guidance is straightforward: do not eat any of the listed products. Instead, discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund or exchange.

• Check product name, UPC, and lot code against the recall list
• Throw away or return any matching items immediately
• Do not taste the product to check for spoilage, since Salmonella contamination is not detectable by smell or appearance
• Watch for symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, or abdominal pain if the product was already consumed
• Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop, especially in children, older adults, or those with weakened immune systems

What the Company Said

In its announcement, NatureBest Precut & Produce LLC confirmed that it ‘is voluntarily recalling products containing jalapeño peppers supplied by Coast Citrus Distributors due to the potential for contamination with Salmonella,’ and stated that it has ceased distribution of the affected items. Consumers with questions can reach the company at (713) 278-0425, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, or by emailing sales@naturebestprecut.com. The FDA posted the announcement as a public service and continues to monitor the outbreak in coordination with the CDC and state health departments.