Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

FDA Salmonella Probe Switches to Jalapenos

Investigators eying other salsa ingredients for source of outbreak

Share

(Newser) – Jalapeno peppers have pushed tomatoes off the top of the FDA's suspect list in the recent salmonella outbreak, reports the Wall Street Journal. Investigators believe salsa may be the culprit in the rash of illnesses, and after a drop in tomato consumption failed to halt a rise in cases, they switched focus to other ingredients—especially peppers. The agency says tomatoes aren't in the clear yet, but the hunt is on for tainted jalapenos.

The investigation is focused on fresh salsa prepared at  restaurants, rather than processed and canned salsa; the restaurants haven't been named, but the agency says most are not affiliated with chains.

"To blame salsa brings nothing to the table," complained a Texas restaurant executive. "Until you can define which ingredient is the culprit, I don't think you can blame salsa and condemn it."   ((c) °Florian)
Salmonella grows fast on jalapeno, one of America's most widely used peppers.
Salmonella grows fast on jalapeno, one of America's most widely used peppers.   ((c) lucianvenutian)
FDA investigators believe jalapeno peppers could be behind the recent salmonella outbreak.
FDA investigators believe jalapeno peppers could be behind the recent salmonella outbreak.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.20.09
The Health-Care Wars Have Just Begun
11.19.09
Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

56 Stories

(Newser) - The FDA would gain broad new powers to oversee food safety under a far-reaching bill passed by the House yesterday, the Washington Post reports. The measure—representing the first major changes to food safety laws since the 1930s—would give the agency vastly increased oversight of the nation's food chain... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Congress • FDA • food contamination • House of Representatives • food safety • food industry

 Feds Confirm E. Coli 
 in Cookie Dough 

FDA still has no idea how bacteria made its way into Nestle dough

Jun 30, 09 3:07 AM CDT
(Newser) - The FDA has confirmed the presence of E. coli in cookie dough from Nestle's Virginia plant, reports the Washington Post. The plant's refrigerated cookie dough was the prime suspect in an outbreak of E. coli-related illness that sickened 69 people in 29 states. But investigators remain confounded as to how... More »

MORE ABOUT:
E. coli • FDA • food contamination • Nestle • toll house cookies • cookie dough

Peanut Plant Slapped With Record $14.6M Fine

Multiple safety violations found at plant linked to salmonella outbreak

Apr 10, 09 3:16 AM CDT
(Newser) - A Texas peanut plant owned by the company blamed for a nationwide salmonella outbreak has been ordered to shell out $14.6 million for safety violations, AP reports. State officials levied the fine—the largest ever in Texas—for violations including unsanitary conditions, product contamination and operating without a license... More »

MORE ABOUT:
food safety • salmonella • fine • peanut • Peanut Corporation of America

56 Stories


Seacrh focuses on salsa ingredients
USA Today

Inspectors to halt import of Mexican food ingredients
CNN


Science & Health  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserScience on Twitter

 
FDA • food contamination • food safety • tomatoes • salmonella • chili peppers

from our news partners