After months of speculation, tomatoes have finally been exonerated as the culprit behind the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak, which sickened more than 1,200 people across the US and Canada. In addition, jalapeño peppers and Serrano peppers grown in the US are not connected with the current outbreak. According to an earlier FDA report, one jalapeño pepper sample had shown a positive genetic match with the Salmonella Saintpaul strain causing the outbreak that began in April (see Food Safety News below).
According to FDA, additional traceback and traceforward information obtained has led to the determination that the Agricola Zarigoza produce distribution center in McAllen, TX-from where FDA took the positive jalapeño pepper sample-was not the original source of the contamination. FDA, however, continues to advise consumers to avoid raw jalapeño peppers-and the food that contains them-if they have been grown, harvested or packed in Mexico.