Warnings on Raw Jalapeño and Serrano Peppers from Mexico

Fri, 01 Aug 2008
Until further notice, FDA is advising consumers to avoid raw serrano peppers from Mexico, in addition to raw jalapeño peppers from Mexico, and any foods that contain them.

Laboratory testing by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that both a sample of serrano peppers and a sample of irrigation water collected by agency investigators on a farm in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico (business address is in Nuevo Leon, Mexico) contain Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint as the strain of bacteria that is causing the current outbreak in the United States.

FDA is still analyzing many of the samples taken at various farms in Mexico. If laboratory results warrant, FDA will provide consumers with additional cautions or warnings necessary to protect their health.