[vetvetdoug]

If the Salmonella has the identical DNA fingerprint as the infected individuals, then that producer is the culprit. However, the FDA is on a witch hunt until they find the source of the outbreak. The FDA/USDA didn't have the power it does now back in the 1970’s. There was a redundancy in the inspection process then but with the political appointees by Carter and Clinton into the FDA (ie lawyers instead of medical personnel) the FDA/USDA became the behemoth it is now. The Military used to inspect their own food sources until the 1980’s and were pretty efficient. Once the USDA took over there became political corruption and greed.

[JimPrevor]

USDA has no responsibility for food safety in fresh produce — that is FDA. The pepper was found not on a farm but in a distribution center. Unless we find out how the Salmonella got on that pepper, you can't say it is related to the outbreak — regardless of the serotype. This is Salmonella Saintpaul, same as the outbreak, but that variant of salmonella has been around for years. It is rare but known. Thanks for the post.

Jim Prevor
http://www.PerishablePundit.com