Fresh Jalapeno Peppers

Fresh jalapeño peppers are a medium-sized chili pepper, a cultivar of the plant *Capsicum annuum*. They are native to Mexico and are now grown worldwide. They are typically harvested when green and used fresh, though they can also be ripened to red.

Jalapeños are primarily used to add a spicy, pungent flavor to foods. They are a popular ingredient in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, commonly found in salsas, dips, nachos, stuffed peppers, and as a pizza topping. Their heat can range from mild to very hot depending on the specific pepper.

Jalapeño peppers are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. They contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat, which may have some health benefits according to some peer-reviewed studies, such as potential anti-inflammatory effects. However, high consumption might cause digestive upset in some individuals. International bodies like EFSA have evaluated capsaicinoids, but no specific evaluations for jalapeño peppers as a whole ingredient by JECFA or EFSA are readily available.