US food agency finds salmonella strain in Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper

7/21/2008

WASHINGTON U.S. government inspectors have found the same salmonella strain responsible for a food-poisoning outbreak in the U.S. in a Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper in a Texas plant, prompting a new warning for consumers to avoid eating fresh jalapenos.

The Food and Drug Administration called Monday's announcement a "very important break in the case."

But it doesn't mean Mexican jalapenos are the culprit the pepper may not have been contaminated on the farm. And while tomatoes currently are safe to eat, health officials also said the finding does not exonerate tomatoes that were sold earlier in the year.

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