It's probably Jalapeno peppers causing the Salmonella "quick-step"According to the CDC, their accumulated investigations point to Jalepeno peppers as the most likely cause of the outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul. The outbreak began in April and now a total of 1251 cases have been reported in 43 US states,the District of Columbia and Canada with the same "genetic fingerprint". Initially, tomatoes were implicated but now the finger is pointed at Jalapeno peppers. It seems that the common denominator for food source was fresh salsa which includes both of these veggies and onions and cilantra. Now, here's how these investigations progress (we call this epidemiology - the study of epidemics of disease): doctors and emergency room personnel report clusters of symptomatic patients to the state and local health departments and follow-up is done to determine which nanobug is causing the infection. Interviews are conducted with the sick patients and their families to determine if the illnesses are foodborne and potentially related in some way. A food history is taken to find out what foods were eaten and where they were prepared (home, potluck supper, or restaurant). Sometimes it is very difficult to conduct these interviews because people are sick and/or they can't remember what they ate beyond their last meal. I remember reading a study done done years ago by a local health department related to the accuracy of food histories and to find ways to improve the process. They set up video cameras over the serving table during a luncheon potluck in the office. No one was the wiser - as this potluck was organized around someone's retirement or other celebration event. Then 48 hours later, they did food histories on the attendees and included the potluck meal. It was obvious that even smart people could not remember what they had eaten from their overloaded plates and/or what was in some of the dishes they had comsumed. But the camera "remembered". I recall that the accuracy was much worse for men than women but not great for them either. I guess the reason I am relating this story is in defense of the public health officials that have to sort out these outbreaks and provide us with information in order to avoid implicated foods. It is a bonanza when they can find left-over food in a fridge that can be tested for the nanobug and corrolate it with the nanobugs isolated from infected people's diarrhea stools - now, that is not an easy process either! So please hold your cruel comments about the confusion with this Salmonella outbreak. I know that farmers and restaurants are often hurt financially by early reports of possible causative foods but that is a consequence of the process. Notice how careful CDC is with their verbage: "preliminary investigations indicate that ____ may be the cause of the illness"? They are trying to take action while they wait for laboratory tests to come back. Generally, a stool culture can take up to 48 hours to show the nasty nanobug amidst all the usual nanobugs present in human feces. So.....what does this news today about Jalepeno peppers mean to you? The FDA is trying to shut off the distribution of any of the implicated produce and keep it from getting to our grocery stores. Your job is to take actions that protect you in case there are some peppers still out there and not yet consumed OR some thing else brewing in these hot summer months. #1- report any fever and diarrhea in yourself or clusters of individuals that might be related to common source foods. #2 - follow good general food safety practices and the "advice to consumers" from the CDC which can be found on their website: www.cdc.gov. I have listed the main points here for your quick review:
The contaminated peppers may still be in grocery stores, homes, and restaurants. Until more is known about the likely location of contamination, FDA is advising all persons to avoid consuming raw jalapeño peppers and dishes containing those raw peppers. Consumers should be aware that raw jalapeño peppers are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and other dishes. Cooked or pickled peppers from jars and cans are not part of this warning. Persons with increased risk of severe infection, including infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems, should also not consume raw serrano peppers. Other persons who want to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection can take similar precautions.
Consumers are reminded that vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet and that cooking vegetables kills bacteria, including Salmonella.
This entry was posted on July 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 am. RSS
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