Salmonella Outbreak Likely Over: CDC

Peppers indeed carrier, agency finds, with Mexico farm a key player
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 28, 2008 1:40 PM CDT
Salmonella Outbreak Likely Over: CDC
Graphic shows states with identified cases of salmonella during the outbreak.   (AP Photo)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today the salmonella outbreak that sickened more than 1,440 people appears to be over. A joint investigation by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration found strong evidence that jalapeno peppers were a major carrier of the bacteria, and that serrano peppers were also a carrier.

The salmonella strain that caused the outbreak was traced back to a produce distribution center in Texas, and to a farm in Mexico that grew peppers. The extensive probe found no contaminated tomatoes, but investigators say they cannot rule out that tomatoes might have been a carrier, particularly early on. It was the largest outbreak of foodborne illness in the United States in the past decade. (More salmonella stories.)

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