El Paso Popcorn Fans Won’t Like This Jalapeño Recall

There are certain food combinations you just don’t mess with in El Paso.

Chico’s Tacos and fries. An ice cold agua fresca with tacos. And, perhaps most importantly, movie theater popcorn with jalapeños!

So when news of a jalapeño recall started making the rounds, I had one thought that I’m sure fellow El Pasoans had: Wait... what are we supposed to put on our popcorn?!

Okay, before we start panicking about movie night, there are some important details to know.

What El Pasoans Should Know About the Jalapeño Recall

The FDA is currently investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.

The recall has also expanded beyond fresh jalapeños because some of the peppers were used as ingredients in prepared foods, including dips, salsas, guacamole and other products. Check this out before you start digging through your fridge!

Okay, this is the serious part. The FDA says consumers should not eat, serve or sell any of the recalled jalapeños while the investigation continues.

Now that we've covered that, we need to address another matter of great importance to El Paso: our movie theater popcorn!

El Paso’s Love for Popcorn and Jalapeños Runs Deep

If you're not from El Paso, putting jalapeños on movie theater popcorn might sound like some special snack hack. Around here? It's just regular ol’ popcorn.

Seriously, some movie theaters in El Paso will automatically ask if you want jalapeños when you order your popcorn. That's how normal this combination is.

You grab the popcorn, throw some jalapeños on top and maybe add a little jalapeño juice for good measure. Suddenly that regular bucket of movie theater popcorn has the perfect spicy kick.

Which is why seeing the words "jalapeño recall" immediately feels a little more personal around here.

But before anyone starts sneaking their own emergency jalapeño stash into the movies, there's some good news.

El Paso Popcorn Lovers Don’t Need to Panic Just Yet

The recall does not mean every jalapeño in El Paso has suddenly been declared off-limits.

The warning applies to specific recalled jalapeños and products containing them, so the important thing is knowing exactly what's included and checking what you have at home.

And hopefully that means our beloved popcorn-and-jalapeño combination can continue living its best spicy life.

Because movie theater popcorn without jalapeños? We'll eat it, but we're not going to be happy about it!