... it kills the germs.
Posted on 07/21/2008 12:56:28 PM PDT by TornadoAlley3
Tomatoes are OK, but watch out for jalapenos, avocados and serrano peppers.
That’s what state and federal health departments are saying now after months of searching for the source of a nationwide salmonella outbreak. Originally thought to be traced to tomatoes, now, after Texas and North Carolina’s departments of state health services located tainted produce from a south Texas importer/distributor, officials are telling people to be wary of other produce often used in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine.
The importer, Grande Produce, is conducting a voluntary recall of all peppers and avocados it distributed.
Confusion among what to eat and what to avoid can largely be avoided by washing produce and washing hands, said Jennifer Jackson, director of nurses at the Williamson County and Cities Health District.
“Any food you eat that is grown using fertilyzer needs to be washed thoroughly,” Jackson said. “Good hand washing is a good thing. You need a good 20 seconds of warm soapy water.”
Jackson said pet lizards and reptiles such as turtles, iguanas and snakes also may carry some of the bacteria responsible for salmonella. Owners of those household critters should take extra care in washing their hands frequently.
Cooking all meats and vegetables, especially chicken and eggs, thoroughly also will greatly reduce risks of contracting the disease.
In Williamson County, 10 out of 26 reported cases of salmonella were linked to the outbreak. There have been more than 1,000 cases reported nationally with a large portion, 474, originating in Texas.
The number of cases may seem exorbitant, something that could be attributed to the large amount of publicity the outbreak has received. Jackson said doctors could be testing for salmonella more often, leading to more reported cases.
“It’s not that there is more disease, there is more testing,” she said. “The public is very aware so when they develop a diarrhea illness they may say, ‘Hey, I could have salmonella.’”
There is no firm treatment for salmonella beyond waiting it out for the typical four to seven-day period of affliction. However, in severe cases people may need to go to the hospital because of dehydration, Jackson said.
The elderly, very young and those with impaired immune systems are most at risk for deaths related to the illness.
Is this a backhanded way of saying it was Mexico?
Thanks for sharing.
Ping of interest to gardeners and foodies!!!!!!!!!
From the liberal mind as witnessed yesterday in the grocery store:
Liberal - Did you read this warning about peppers?
Cletus - Yes. I heard it on the radio yesterday, too.
Liberal - I’ve got some serrano peppers in my garden. Should I have them tested?
Cletus - (muttering)...ungh....manbearpig...kitties needed.
I ignore all of these “consumer warnings.”
Until thousands of people have either died or fallen sick, it’s just hype.
In a country of 300 million - a handful of people getting sick isn’t even a coincidence.
Sheesh.............I can just picture that.
“It’s not that there is more disease, there is more testing,” she said.”
Doh!! Blame anything but our FOOD being IMPORTED from 3rd world countries!
“watch out for jalapenos, avocados and serrano peppers.”
They still have no clue.
.
Thread topic of some discomfort
I ignore all of this nonsense, including - butter will kill you, don’t eat beef, coffee is no good, don’t drink red wine, bla bla bla bla bla, if I listened to any of this nonsense I’d be drinking water only, can’t even have bread cuz white flour will kill ya.....exercise and eat everything in moderation.....
Yep. It comes down to the individual and NOT eliminating the source (Mexican imports). After hurting the southeast’s tomato crop, you wouldn’t want the Mexican pepper crop to be destroyed, would you.
Mexicanas...happily importing the salmonella Americans refuse to cultivate here!
Water has E-coli in it! Don’t drink the water!
[Thread topic of some discomfort]
Jalapenos have always been a discomfort for me and forget serranos!!
This all involves fresh produce, buy your jalapenos in a jar and they will be fine. I knew tomatos were off the list but love avacados and buy them a lot. Thick skin, washing well should do it.
Luckily, my jalapenos and banana peppers are beginning to produce like crazy. Thanks for the ping.
And that annoys the you know what out of me.
I just finished reading an article about how Virginia's tomato growers are still hurting. Tomatoes are the number 1 field crop in VA, and one of the big growers near me says demand has been down 30% so far.
LOL! Now what??? I’ll have to resort to beer!!!
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