Jalapeno Linked with Salmonella Outbreak

We have been keeping you up to date with information on the salmonella outbreak as with this recent post on our blog. In latest news concerning this subject, the FDA has found the same rare strain of salmonella on a jalapeno pepper that was grown in Mexico and stored in a Texas warehouse. According to this article from the San Francisco Chronicle this is the first piece of produce that has the matching strain of bacteria. Despite this lead the FDA still recommends caution saying that “the ultimate source of the contamination has yet to be found” even though last week they did claim that it was safe to eat tomatoes.

As Tom Nassif, chief executive for Western growers stated

"It's a great relief to know it's not tomatoes, even though the CDC (federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the FDA will never admit it wasn't tomatoes,"

Dr. David Acheson, FDA associate commissioner in charge of the investigation believes, however that

“during the initial outbreak - where cases were found as early as April 10 - there was a ‘clear association’ with consumption of fresh tomatoes. Only later were peppers clearly implicated, as well. “

Meanwhile California is bracing itself for another economic blow since they produce approximately $45 million worth of jalapeno peppers a year. They already suffered some setback in the form of a 40% decline in their tomato market.