FDA Finds <em>Salmonella</em> at 8 U.S. Firms

The Food and Drug Administration has completed its first round of sampling produce items found in fresh salsa, and at least eight domestic companies had products that tested positive for salmonella.

It was unclear if any of the products were tainted with Salmonella saintpaul, the strain that has caused more than 1,400 illnesses since April. FDA spokesman Sebastian Cianci said at least three other strains of salmonella were found.

After testing of tomatoes failed to produce a positive related to the outbreak in June, FDA widened its scope in July to look at other items found in fresh salsa, including jalapeño peppers, serrano peppers and cilantro. Cianci said 5 percent to 6 percent of the samples taken in July and early August tested positive for some form of salmonella.

He said two-thirds of the positives were sampled in Mexico or from Mexican imports at border crossings. The other one-third was found at U.S. companies.

It was unclear if the tainted products found in the U.S. — which included jalapeño peppers, serrano peppers, cilantro and avocadoes — were domestically grown or imported.

Kathy Means, vice president of government relations and public affairs for the Newark, Del.-based Produce Marketing Association, said it was not surprising that positive tests spiked during a period of increased sampling.

“We know there is a small percentage of produce that gets contaminated,” she said. “When you go looking for it, you might find it. That’s why you do testing, to see if your systems are working and make corrections if they’re not.”

Cianci said FDA has started another testing assignment, during which the agency steps up its sampling of certain products. He declined to say what commodities were being tested, though he said it applied to domestic and imported product.

Source: The Packer