FDA finds salmonella in local jalapeños

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.