Tomatoes may have had an accomplice -- peppers

Photo: Raw serranos (above) and raw jalapenos have been added to the FDA's don't-eat list for the very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Credit: Tim Boyle / Getty Images

Those red romas, red plums and red rounds, it seems, did not act alone. The relatively uncommon strain of Salmonella that has sickened 1,017 people in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Canada has now been linked not just to tomatoes but to fresh jalapenos, as well.

Investigators are having a hard time identifying a sole culprit for the outbreak of the Saintpaul strain. Some of the illnesses have been traced to food containing tomatoes and jalapenos, some to just jalapenos, says the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health officials stress that jalapenos aren't the sole fall guy. Tomatoes are still suspect -- as are fresh serranos and cilantro.

The CDC notes that, in the suspect cases, these foods were "commonly, though not always" consumed together. And if you're particularly slow on the uptake today and wondering what these foods have in common, the agency adds: "Consumers should be aware that raw jalapeno peppers are often used in the fresh preparation of salsa, pico de gallo, and other dishes."

Great. Sandwiches without tomatoes were bad enough. But chips without salsa?

The FDA has added raw jalapenos and raw serranos to its don't-eat list for the very young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. (The rest of us can take our chances, I suppose.) The deaths of two Texas men may be linked to the outbreak. One was in his 80s, another (in his 60s) had cancer.

Interestingly enough, Texas and New Mexico have been hit especially hard, with 384 and 98 cases respectively. Illinois has had 100 cases. California -- no slouch in the salsa-consumption department -- has had only nine cases. Here's a map of the outbreak.   

The CDC has plenty of basic information, with responses to typical questions such as "What is salmonellosis? What are the symptoms? How do people get infected?" Short answers: An illness caused by a specific type of bacteria; diarrhea and abdominal cramps; and ... just read it yourself.

Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and romas and rounds grown in certain states are OK. Here's the FDA's list of safe areas.

Meanwhile, if anyone has a recipe for salsa without peppers or cilantro, pass it along.

And if you're thinking (like some people I know) that by simply drinking enough tequila you can kill any lurking Salmonella, let me know how that works for you.

-- Tami Dennis

Comments

[Lordofzonk]

If you are going to state that Jalapeno Peppers are to blame please be wise enough to show a picture of Jalapeno Pepers NOT Seranno Pepers... what a hack report.

[Tami Dennis]

It may be a hack report, but it does manage to point out that serranos are also suspect -- hence their inclusion in the FDA warning.

[Tiger Lily]

Instead of blaming the vegetables, I think we need to investigate if the food is contaminated during processing.

[Jeremy]

I always thought that salsa was cooked, refrigerated, and then served , and pico de gallo was served raw.

[Don Julio]

Regarding the tequila: I have been taking two shots daily since this outbreak began, and I haven't died yet. Not even a little.

[Tami Dennis]

Quite frankly, this is the most encouraging health news I've heard all day. Thanks, Don Julio.

[Tom Colton]

Several weeks ago, the CDC and FDA said all domestic sources of
food crops and processing had been eliminated except Florida.
Mexico, as well, was still under consideration. Last week the FDA
and the CDC came right out and said the source was in Mexico.
That was the story for 24 hours and then it became a "Big Mystery"
once again. I think our government's failure to find the source of
this Salmonella outbreak, is a political one. We lack the guts to
upset Mexico by sticking with the true source of the outbreak.
We do the same with China, every time they poison us with
doctored trade goods that sicken and kill Americans and Latin
Americans in Central and South America. Is it still true that
Mexican farmers use human waste to fertilize their fields? I
know they used to. I'll bet that's the source of this outbreak.

[larry]

I think there are 2 Gods who are having fun scaring people. One God scares people with tomatoes, the other God scared them with tornadoes.

[Neil McLaughlin]

The media is trying to make everyone fear raw vegetables so they can irradiate everything, genetically modify everything, and eventually ban home gardening.

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