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Salmonella Found In Mexican-Grown Jalapeño

By Associated Press

The Food and Drug Administration's food safety chief says the
discovery of the same strand of salmonella in the nationwide
outbreak on the pepper is a "very important break." Salmonella Found In Mexican-Grown Jalapeño

Published: Tue, July 22, 2008 - 5:40 am Last Updated: Tue, July 22, 2008 - 5:43 am

WASHINGTON (AP) - The McAllen plant where health officials found
salmonella on a single Mexican-grown jalapeno is recalling its
fresh peppers.
The plant, Agricola Zaragoza, has suspended sales of fresh
jalapenos and recalled those shipped since June 30 - shipments it
said were made to Georgia and Texas.
The Food and Drug Administration's food safety chief says the
discovery of the same strand of salmonella in the nationwide
outbreak on the pepper is a "very important break." But the case
isn't closed yet. And tomatoes, the original suspects in the
outbreak that has sickened more than 1,200 people in 43 states,
aren't totally exonerated yet.
The FDA hasn't said how far produce from the plant near the
Mexican border may have traveled, although it's not considered a
major processor. Investigators are trying to figure out where the
pepper became tainted -- on the farm, in the plant or at some stop
in between.
For now, the FDA is warning against eating fresh jalapenos and
products made with them, such as fresh salsa. Tomatoes now on the
market are considered safe to eat.