From eggs and jalapenos to dog food, granola and pet turtles -- it seems like you can catch a Salmonella infection from just about anything these days. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI | License Photo
Does it feel like Salmonella is contaminating everything these days? From the food you eat and the pets you love to the surfaces you touch and the recreational areas you enjoy, this deadly bacterium can be found almost everywhere.
As of August 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 10 outbreaks related to Salmonella this year linked to a variety of sources, including jalapeno peppers, backyard poultry and shell eggs, moringa leaf powder and reptiles like turtles, chameleons, geckos and bearded dragons.
Other reported Salmonella outbreaks over recent years have also been linked to home-delivery meals and dry dog food; cantaloupe, cucumbers and diced onions; alfalfa sprouts and basil; flour and raw cookie dough; fish, ground beef and charcuterie meat; and pistachio cream and peanut butter. Outbreaks are identified when two or more people become sick from the consumption of the same food.
Although it seems like there has been more Salmonella outbreaks in 2026, CDC reporting shows that the number of outbreaks has remained similar over the past five years -- so far. However, given the Trump administration's drastic cuts to federal public health agencies, reduced federal oversight of food production and handling may increase the risk of serious illness.
