Chipotle Mexican Grill has pulled jalapenos from the menu at certain restaurant locations following the launch of a salmonella investigation.
The operational adjustment marks the latest food safety challenge for the fast-casual operator, which is already managing the fallout from a separate outbreak linked to lettuce earlier this year.
The decision to remove a core menu item underscores the severity of the current probe and the company's precautionary approach to risk management.
While the scope of the affected locations remains limited, the move signals potential supply chain disruptions and operational friction that could weigh on same-store sales growth in the near term.
This development complicates the narrative for Chipotle, which recently raised its full-year same-store sales growth forecast.
Investors had been encouraged by the company's ability to project stronger performance despite the earlier lettuce-related incident.