Posted on 07/09/2008 4:13:14 PM PDT by Pinkbell
WASHINGTON -- More than 1,000 people have become sick in the salmonella outbreak originally blamed on tomatoes, and federal health officials now say jalapeno peppers appear more likely to be at fault, at least in three large clusters of illnesses.
The outbreak has caused the death of a Texas man in his 80s, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. The agency said the outbreak may also have contributed to the death of another Texas man, who had cancer.
As of Tuesday, 1,017 people -- from 41 states, the District of Columbia and Canada -- had become sick from the rare salmonella strain dubbed Saintpaul, the CDC said. The first patient became sick on April 10 and the last, on June 26. The latest figure is an increase from the 943 cases that were reported as of July 3.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
>>>>>everyone seems to be afraid to say it
An epidemiologist on PBS news last week came pretty close but kept steering around the obvious. “Something eaten raw and with tomatos, perhaps with salsa or pico de gallo.” Onions? Nope. Coriander? Maybe. Garlic? Nope. Jalepenos? Probably.
In my local ethnic market in Virginia (Asian/Hispanic) Jalpenos are sold in bulk by the pound from a HUGE cardboard box (3x3x4 feet) and they come from ..... Mexico!
And Virginia has been one of the top 10 (if not top 5) states under scrutiny.
In my local ethnic/Hispanic market jalapenos are sold in bulk by the pound from a big huge box in the produce section.
Has anyone heard the ethnicity of the victims? I'm betting 90 percent Hispanic who shop at local ethnic markets.
I would say that at least 90% of Jalepenos are imported. They are too labor intensive for the price to be grown in the US.
Think third world labor with no training and skills in personal hygiene/sanitation practices.
Doesn’t matter what the vegie or fruit was or is.
Your voice in the wilderness. But not too many others will speak out also.
It's just another price we pay for illegals.
No. I ate the salad. It’s been my understanding that they don’t think the tomatoes have been the problem. I figured the restaurant wouldn’t risk giving them to customers if they thought there was any chance they could be contaminated due to legal reprecussions.
I made some cabbage salsa the other night and my hands were on fire for several hours from cutting up two jalapenos. And I know better too—next time I’ll make sure I wear gloves. I soaked the peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes in vinegar beforehand. I don’t know if that does any good or not to kill any buggies but none of us got sick from it.
We usually try to avoid produce from Mexico simply because we’ve heard stories of poor conditions there.
Doesn't it seem strange to you that after all this time the genius's at the CDC can't tell you if it is the tomatoes or the peppers.
Certain produce shipments halted out of Mexico
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=8632048&nav=0s3d
We planted a garden this year. Tonight I had tamales with homemade salsa (japalenos) and Spanish Rice made with fresh tomatos.
No worries here either.
So, you’re up for eating a moderate amount of salmonella? ;)
susie
That keeps cropping into my mind CindyDawg!
susie
Wow, you and I are on the same wavelength today. Chicken connection was the first thing I thought of when this started. I wonder if they fertilize with chicken droppings anywhere?
susie
I’ve been eating tomatoes as often as ever. No problems at all.
I’m laughing because I once made jalapeno jelly, didn’t know to wear gloves. I had to sleep with my hands in ice water!!!! LOL
susie
I was wondering about run off water they might use to clean the birds.
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