A major food safety crisis has emerged as federal health agencies investigate a widespread Salmonella Javiana outbreak linked to imported fresh jalapeño peppers. Inside the Multistate Salmonella OutbreakAccording to the latest federal updates, 345 people across 27 U.S. states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Javiana. The most notable precedent occurred during a massive nationwide outbreak where contaminated Mexican jalapeño and serrano peppers sickened over 1,400 people across the country. Can Victims Sue Over a Salmonella Outbreak? Public health authorities must successfully match the pathogen strain found in the patient’s lab work to the specific genetic profile (Salmonella Javiana) tied to the jalapeño outbreak.