http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gTdemzWcpeDQ9QFeEyMaHk5U20GQD91NR5KG0

Associated Press July 5, 2008

FDA reports more cases of salmonella illnesses

"The FDA also said it had begun looking at jalapeno peppers as a possible cause of the outbreak, as well as ingredients used to make salsa such as cilantro and Serrano peppers. Tomatoes continue to be investigated as well, spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said.

"On Tuesday, the government said it would test numerous other kinds of fresh produce commonly served with fresh tomatoes while insisting that tomatoes remained the leading culprit.

"Among the possibilities FDA has said it was exploring is whether tomatoes and other produce are sharing a common packing or shipping site where both might become contaminated, or whether multiple foods might be tainted while being grown on adjoining farms or with common water sources.

"Officials have said some patients have told the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention they ate raw tomatoes in fresh salsa and guacamole."

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=at.WirsW_LU0&refer=home

Bloomberg.com July 5, 2008

U.S. Officials Focus on Jalapeno Peppers in Outbreak, WSJ Says

"U.S. officials have turned their focus to jalapeno peppers as the possible source of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened about 1,000 people since April 10, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified people familiar with the investigation.

"Initial attention was paid to tomatoes, though the spread of the disease shifted the focus to other foods, the newspaper said. In addition to jalapenos, cilantro and Serrano peppers are being looked at, the Journal said.

"The agency is focusing on 29 "clusters'' of people sickened by the feces-borne bacteria mostly at Mexican food restaurants, the newspaper said. The cluster is formed by two or more people becoming sick within 10 days after dining at the same restaurant, the Journal said."

How many people use these ingredients at home? Aren't they more likely to buy pre-made salsa and other Mexican food items? Some people may buy fresh prepared items, but I'm betting most buy processed and even fewer make their own.

It's getting pretty obvious that the sources of contamination are so varied and
fluctuating that the FDA doesn't even know what to look at.

straybaby as the days go by there is less and less reporting on the salmonella and tomatoes or whatever it is. Just wonder if they are trying to save face and keep looking instead of admitting they do not have a clue and to test everything coming into this country? Nah why do that, people get sick anyway so why would testing benefit anyone?

According to CTV news in Canada, three more Canadians have been diagnosed:

http://tinyurl.com/6fltde

Has it dawned on anyone else that if they are this bad at tracking salmonella and take this long, how bad would it be if they were being challenged to track some bioweapon that terrorists had released in the U.S.? Let's hope we never find out.

what a great world we live in. The assumption is there will be a terrorist attack, not if.
And yup, the indication is not good that HLS is any better at this than the FDA, CDC,
and USDA. Of course, heparin, peanut butter, and adulterated food and drug imports
already indicate that.

Food safety based on post-recall outbreaks is a total failure. The inspection point has
to be the producers, growers, importers, and distributors prior to retail sale.

Glad they warned parents not to give jalapenos to infants.    I guess somebody might be.

Hope they get this traced.  It's not killing people but 1-3 days in the hospital costs a lot of money!

Salmonella saintpaul is associated with turtles from what I read and last summer Congress freed the turtles again.  (Unless that amendment was removed.)

http://www.marlerblog.com/2008/01/articles/case-news/salmonella-turtles-attack-in-33-states/
"It what must rank up there with one of the more stupid moves by Congress (I know there are many), on May 2, 2007, according to Senator Mary Landrieu, “in A 93-1 vote, the United States Senate today passed S. 1082, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Revitalization Act, which includes a key amendment offered by Senator Landrieu, that would lift the current ban on the sale of baby turtles in the United States.” The Senator goes on to say:


"My amendment frees Louisiana's turtle farmers from outdated FDA regulations that have crippled them for more than 30 years," Senator Landrieu said. "This is a great success for our agriculture industry, and I am proud that I could work with the Senate leadership to get this key provision passed. I urge the House to follow the Senate and pass this legislation so that the President can sign it and our farmers can have the freedom they need to provide safe and healthy turtles to America's children and families.""