The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday that one jalapeno pepper sample is a positive genetic match with the Salmonella Saintpaul strain causing the current Salmonella outbreak. The positive sample was obtained during an FDA inspection at a produce distribution center in Texas. The produce distribution center is working with FDA to voluntarily recall jalapeno peppers that have been distributed since June 30, 2008.
The recall will not immediately remove all potentially contaminated jalapeno peppers. FDA is advising consumers not to eat raw jalapeno peppers or any foods that contain raw jalapeno peppers until further notice. Cooked or pickled jalapeno peppers are safe to eat.
FDA also recommends that the elderly, infants and people with weakened immune systems do not eat raw Serrano peppers or food that contains raw Serrano peppers until further notice.
For more information, visit http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html.