The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assigned its highest-risk classification to a voluntary recall of a salad dressing by Salata Dressings of Houston due to potential salmonella contamination. The recall, initiated in August, involves the company's Jalapeño Avocado Dressing, which contained diced jalapeños linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak connected to jalapeño peppers.

The FDA designated the recall as Class 1, indicating that exposure to the contaminated product could result in serious health consequences or death. The recalled items include 12.5-ounce bottles with best-by dates of November 5, 13, 18, or 25, 2026, and one-gallon jugs with best-by dates of October 6, 14, 20, and 26. According to the agency, more than 1,700 units of the dressing were distributed across Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas.

Though no illnesses have been reported in connection with the salad dressing, the FDA emphasized that salmonella infections can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected with salmonella may experience symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The larger outbreak linked to the contaminated jalapeños resulted in 488 reported cases and 65 hospitalizations across 34 states. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA announced that the outbreak was over. Investigations identified an unidentified grower in Sinaloa, Mexico—supplying Coast Citrus Distributors—as the likely source.

Coast Citrus Distributors did not immediately respond to requests for comment. In response to the outbreak, Chipotle Mexican Grill removed jalapeños from its restaurants in August after being notified about the connection to the Sinaloa grower and Coast Citrus. Additionally, Taylor Farms voluntarily recalled various jalapeño-containing products, including spicy guacamole and pico de gallo, as part of outbreak mitigation efforts.