Salmonella outbreak strain found in jalapenos
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July 21, 2008 |
Texas Department of State Health
Services
Galveston County and Cities —
The strain of salmonella bacteria responsible for the nationwide outbreak of
salmonellosis has been found in laboratory tests of jalapeno peppers collected
from a produce importer/distributor in McAllen. The jalapenos are being
recalled.
Salmonella saintpaul was detected in tests by a U.S. Food and Drug
Administration laboratory in Denver. Authorities said it is the first detection
of the outbreak strain in a food item since the outbreak was announced in early
June. Previous detections of salmonella saintpaul were in lab testing of
samples from people who were ill.
The peppers, which were grown in Mexico, were collected by FDA from the
importer/distributor Agricola Zaragoza. This recall is limited to jalapenos
from Agricola Zaragoza and does not apply to any other jalapenos on the market
or to any other produce.
Investigators have not yet determined where or how the jalapenos from
Agricola Zaragoza were contaminated. The company is doing a voluntary recall of
jalapenos it has shipped since June 30. Wholesalers, retailers and other
suppliers that have received the recalled peppers are instructed to remove them
from the market. The FDA is overseeing the recall.
DSHS advises consumers and food services personnel to thoroughly wash any
fresh fruits and vegetables before eating or serving.
Some 1,251 cases of salmonellosis caused by the saintpaul strain have been
confirmed in the United States and Canada, including 475 in
Texas. Four of those cases have been in Galveston County.
Federal, state and local public health and food safety agencies are
continuing to investigate.
More information is available at
www.fda.gov.
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211 or (409) 392-0007
kkoopman@gchd.org
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