Salmonella Risk in Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers
Bailey Farms Inc., of Oxford, N.C., is voluntarily recalling 6,215 pounds of fresh serrano chili peppers after a random sample taken by the Michigan Department of Agriculture in their Lansing, Mich., warehouse tested positive for salmonella. This recall is the result of the possibility that the rest of the chili peppers could also be contaminated with this bacteria.
To date nobody has come forward saying they have gotten sick after eating the chili peppers. In young children, frail or elderly people, or people with a weakened immune systems, the salmonella organism can cause serious and even fatal infections. Healthy persons infected mayhave the following symptoms: fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. If the Salmonella organism gets into the bloodstream then more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditic and arthritis may prevent itself.Consumers with questions can contact Bailey Farms, Inc. M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST 1-888-820-2545.
Bailey Farms is working with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate the root cause of the potential contamination. Serrano Chile Peppers is the latest in food items such as oregano, black pepper, almond butter and peanut butter which have been subject to recalls due to salmonella concerns in recent months.
Potentially contaminated peppers can be identified by the sticker label, which is marked as PLU 4079. Bailey Farms, Inc. has notified all of their distributors who have purchased Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers during this time period. The serrano chili peppers are sold by several retail chains and distributors, including Meijer, Inc., Publix Super Markets Inc., Merchants Distributors, Inc., Walmart, Food Lion, Flavor 1st Growers and Packers, US Foods, Military Produce Group, LLC., C&S Wholesalers, John Vena, Inc. and Harris Teeter. Any consumers who suspect they may have purchased this product between the dates of October 2, 2014 to October 21, 2014 should check with the above listed companies to verify if the product was subject to recall.
As a result of the recall notice, supermarket operator Giant Food LLC, removed Serrano, Anaheim, Red Cherry Hot and Finger Hot peppers from its stores, as did Ahold-owned Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, which has supermarkets under the Bi-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie brands, also said its stores removed fresh serrano chili peppers following the recall notice.
Consumers with questions can contact Bailey Farms, Inc. M-F 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST 1-888-820-2545.
