CHICAGO (AP) — Chipotle Mexican Grill said Tuesday that it had removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants, after determining the peppers could potentially be tied to a salmonella outbreak public health officials are investigating. In a brief statement, Chipotle maintained that the “health and safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority” — and that it was aware of authorities investigating the source of a salmonella outbreak impacting several food service retailers. The company added that it had pulled the jalapeños out of an abundance of caution and “replaced them with product from different growers.” The Minnesota Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed that it was investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to several Mexican-style, quick-service restaurants — with jalapeños as the suspected source. Minnesota’s Health Department noted that other states are contributing to the investigation, without elaborating further.