"No Señor, it is Achmed the Dead Terrorist that want to keel you."
Posted on 07/22/2008 10:51:48 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
McALLEN - The strain of salmonella that sickened people across the country was detected in jalapeños distributed by a Rio Grande Valley company, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported Monday.
Peppers from Agricola Zaragoza carried the saintpaul strain of salmonella.
This is the first time the agency found the strain in food since the outbreak was announced in June.
The FDA has not determined how or where the peppers were contaminated, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. It has been testing produce from distributors all over the country.
Agricola Zaragoza is recalling jalapeños it has shipped since June 30, according to the FDA.
The peppers were sent to customers in Georgia and Texas, shipped in 35-pound plastic crates and in 50-pound bags with no brand name or label. The peppers came from Mexico, according to the company.
Agricola Zaragoza officials asked consumers and retailers to contact their suppliers to find out if their products are included in the recall. It also asked restaurants and retail food stores that use jalapeños to dispose of the peppers as a safety precaution.
The state health department has been working with the FDA to test produce in hopes of finding the source of the illnesses.
Since June, more than 1,200 people, including 475 in Texas, have fallen ill after contracting the bacteria.
This is the second local distributor from which products came that tested positive for salmonella.
Grande Produce in Hidalgo voluntarily recalled its avocados, serrano and jalapeño peppers last week after the FDA found salmonella in those products. However, the bacteria strain in those vegetables is different than the one that's sparked the nationwide alarm.
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Jennifer L. Berghom covers education and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4462.
If I grew branded tomatoes I would be ready to kill the federal employees that tried to ruin my business.
In a story posted yesterday the government said they only found one pepper with Salmonella on it. Easily washed off. They are trying to ruin the pepper business now as they did the tomato business. What jerks.
If any produce is not labels where it is from, I will be asking the grocers....if they don't know, I won't buy.
"No Señor, it is Achmed the Dead Terrorist that want to keel you."
In that case, please send all of your unused tequila my way.
I wonder what the FDA does to illegal immigrants that test positive for Salmonella and other pathogens when they are here in the US? I bet nothing...
I wash all my produce with a brush and mild anti-bacterial soap. Even the stuff from my own garden. Never know if a rabbit or a mouse might have peed on them.
“I wonder what the FDA does to illegal immigrants that test positive for Salmonella and other pathogens when they are here in the US? I bet nothing...”
Worse than nothing. They will give them “free” health care and send you, the taxpayer, the bill.
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Jeff Dunham does an amazing job with his puppets..
Ditto...or other critters.!;^)
At my local grocer, I carefully check all fruits & vegetables for place of origin-(will not buy out of country).....and I still wash them thoroughly even if from the US.
HEB has removed it’s fresh pico de gallo citing the jalapeno story and that it’s participating with the govt. recall.
I have some from a few days back that’s caused us no problems.
Hate to be the one to break this to you, but every human being (if not every animal) on the face of this planet would test positive for Salmonella.
That is because US-based growers don't poop on their produce.
No, it's the migrant pickers in the fields that poop on the produce.
Talk about misleading...local distributor, foreign produce. Unless the distributors allow conditions in their warehouses that lead to contamination, the statement is irrelevant, frivolous, and defaming.
Tomatoes are pretty acidic but, Jalapenos have even more. It's a wonder germs can live on or in these veggies and fruits. Makes one wonder if there isn't some kind of biological warfare going on. (be it subtle)
Look at the PB nightmare. I had withdrawls for a year with no Peter Pan. When they announced the lot number of the tainted peanut butter, I checked the nearly empty jar on my desk. It matched. I was never sick. Well, not physically, at any rate.
“Welcome to Walmart - get your sh*t ‘n get out!” Gotta love that Walter!
“The elephant disappeared...it just [bleep]ing disappeared!” Go, Peanut!
I was about to make a black bean salad this evening...got the jalapenos from HEB. Now I’m not so sure...
Colonel, USAFR
I’d wash the peppers in a mild bleach solution, rinse well and enjoy that salad.
I wash all produce also. While we lived in Saudi Arabia, we were cautioned to wash everything in mild bleach water, I still do that. Also vinegar is pretty good for things too.
Did so - it was good, but not a great night’s sleep last night. Not sure if that’s the salad or just the normal why-did-I-agree-to-do-so-much-crap-for-so-many-people-at-the-same-time stuff. Go figure...at least we have a decent shot at some of those heavy rain bands from Dolly here in San Antonio this afternoon.
Colonel, USAFR
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