RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina inspectors are making their rounds after the FDA said it has confirmed a case of salmonella in a Mexican grown jalapeno found in a Texas factory.
Discuss This Story
It's the same strain of salmonella that sickened a thousand people nationwide and comes just days after North Carolina issued a health alert on Hass brand avocados and jalapeno peppers from Mexico. Officials are also advising people to be cautious of serrano peppers.
Avocados are checking out OK at R&H Produce at the Raleigh Farmer's Market, but produce moves quickly in the marketplace, and State Food Regulatory Supervisor Jim Melvin is checking the supply chain. He said he makes sure the names of the distributors providing the questionable produce don't appear in the company's records or on its boxes.
"It's a complex multi-step process,” Melvin said. "We have to carry our investigation on until we feel like we have taken away any possibility that the product might be out in the marketplace."
R&H Produce co-owner Mark Yokeley said his company takes the salmonella scare very seriously.
"We're selling to grocery stores and we sell to the public, too,” Yokeley said. "It makes you, you stay on top of it with the FDA and all that to make sure if something is recalled you go check your product right then to make sure it's not coming from that area."
Imported avocados, jalapeño and Serrano peppers are plentiful among other smaller suppliers at the farmer's market. Grocery store owner Marta Sanchez travels from Clinton to buy her produce from a retailer said she trusts, but she says the whole salmonella ordeal is still scary.
"It makes me nervous, really nervous because you know first about our tomatoes ... now inspectors coming to my store,” Sanchez said.
Inspectors said they found nothing of concern in the Triangle area. Restaurants are also being checked by the state health department.

digg it
Save This Page