Stores in TN voluntarily recall jalapenos

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Jalapeno scare: Local grocery stores pluck peppers from shelves

Here's part of the article.

Despite a report saying no salmonella-tainted jalapeno peppers were sent to Tennessee, stores across the Tri-Cities began removing the peppers from shelves on Tuesday. Tom Womack, Tennessee Department of Agriculture spokesman, said an initial check of retail stock all across the state showed none of the stores had or were scheduled to receive a delivery of produce from the Texas-based company where the outbreak was traced. The Food and Drug Administration issued an alert late Monday asking consumers not to consume any raw jalapeno peppers or products that contain any of the uncooked pepper in them. The agency announced Tuesday that the probable source of the peppers had been narrowed to Agricola Zaragoza Inc. of McAllen, Texas. The strand of salmonella found there is identical to the one found in other produce that has sickened more than 1,200 people in 43 states since June 7. Danny Gordon, assistant manager at Food City’s Eastman Road store, said personnel began removing jalapenos from shelves by midmorning Tuesday after a company directive was issued. Gordon noted that a meat product produced at Food City stores, which combines burger patties and raw jalapenos, was also part of the company recall although none of those had been made at the Eastman Road facility on Tuesday. Elaine Lidholm of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said jalapenos are not largely produced in the state, and if a consumer decided to buy some at a local farmers market or from a farmer who grows them locally, there should not be any danger. “I guess the only case where someone might want to use caution is in a restaurant. We would recommend children, the elderly or those with frail immune system not order anything with fresh jalapenos like salsa,” said Lidholm.