Salmonella found in jalapenos

Peppers in Texas plant offer clues to outbreak's source 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. The recent outbreak sickened 1,251 people in 43 states and killed two. The infected peppers were found in a produce center in McAllen, Texas. The FDA warns people to... [read full story]