FDA: Nationwide warning: Jalapenos

The jalapeno market is at serious risk today.

FDA's David Acheson announced a breakthrough in the case today. (Find link to audio of FDA teleconference here) A small distributor was identified in Texas (watch for David Mitchell's coverage on The Packer's news site for that name) from which a pepper was tested positive for Salmonella Saintpaul by an FDA lab. That has prompted the FDA to issue a nationwide warning for consumption of fresh jalapeno peppers. The pepper came from Mexico, FDA believes, but the warning is nationwide and includes jalapenos of all origins.

As far as where the trace-forward goes, the FDA is looking at distribution records, but said it won't release the names of retailers or foodservice distributors/operators who might have sold peppers from the distributor.

The FDA said all tomatoes are now safe to eat, but still won't exonerate tomatoes in the outbreak investigation as a possible cause earlier on.


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