July 23, 2008

LANSING - As part of an ongoing federal investigation into a nationwide outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and its federal food safety partners are warning consumers not to eat raw jalapeno peppers unless they are grown locally. Cooked or pickled jalapeno peppers are safe to eat.

“This is one of the most complex foodborne illness investigations we have encountered in a long time. Trying to determine an exact source of the original outbreak strain is similar to trying to find a tiny needle in a very large haystack,” said Katherine Fedder, MDA’s Food and Dairy Division Director. “I would encourage consumers to purchase locally grown produce whenever possible if there is any concern relative to food origin.”

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced one jalapeno pepper sample is a positive genetic match with the current Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak strain. The positive sample was obtained during an FDA inspection at a produce distribution center in McAllen, Texas. The pepper was grown on a farm in Mexico, however, that does not mean that the pepper was contaminated in Mexico. The produce distribution center, Agricola Zaragoza, voluntarily recalled jalapeno peppers the company distributed since June 30, 2008.

The consumer advisory remains in effect for vulnerable populations (infants, the elderly, and immune-compromised people), who should avoid eating raw serrano peppers as the investigation continues.

Discovery of the positive jalapeno pepper sample was the result of several weeks of investigation by FDA scientists and field staff - including examining traceback data from the locations where there were clusters of food-borne illness, scrutinizing distribution records and collecting environmental samples from water, soil, work surfaces and packing boxes throughout the entire chain of production and distribution.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses. Consumers who have recently eaten raw jalapenos or foods containing raw jalapenos and are experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their health care provider. All Salmonella infections should be reported to state or local health authorities.

For more information, please visit FDA’s Web site at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#news.