As you are out enjoying all the yummy food at get-togethers this holiday weekend, it’ll make you feel good to know you don’t have to worry about avoiding peppers or tomatoes anymore – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the salmonella outbreak that made 1,400 people sick across the country seems to be over.
The CDC says the number of reported cases has been dropping since early July and is now around the usual number of salmonella cases we see this time of year.
An investigation into the outbreak shows jalapeno peppers seemed to be a major carrier of the bacteria, as were serrano peppers. Tomatoes are still a possible source, as well.
The FDA says the contaminated jalapeno and serrano peppers, grown in Mexico, are no longer around, so it lifted its advice to avoid eating raw jalapeno and serrano peppers grown, harvested or packed in Mexico. It also gave the green light last month for us to eat tomatoes again.
Based on confirmed cases, this was the largest foodborne outbreak in the last 10 years.
