Cal Fresco LLC has issued a voluntary recall of fresh Jalapeño and Serrano chili peppers after some random samples selected by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested positive for Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported in conjunction with this recall.
The Jalapeño recall is limited to one lot (Lot #205610) containing approximately 18,500 pounds of peppers. The lot was distributed to retail stores in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Canada between December 3 and December 5, 2011.
The product was shipped in cases under two labels: Cal Fresco (10 and 25 pound cases) and Grower Alliance (40 pound case) but is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight without packaging. All retail suppliers that received this affected lot have been notified and were directed to immediately remove and destroy any remaining product in their inventories.
Cal Fresco’s traceability process identified the supplier, located in Mexico, and the company has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and the company continue their investigation into the source of the contamination.
The Serrano peppers were recalled was the result of a random USDA sampling of bulk Serrano peppers on December 12 at a Spokane, WA distribution center which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some, but not all, of the sampling. The peppers were delivered to a retail distribution center Spokane, Washington on December 8, 2011.
Cal Fresco has a sampling, traceability and recall program in place to detect and prevent distribution of contaminated products. “However, because the USDA Sample and Isolated Pathogen Information Report failed to disclose individual lot numbers, and because the results of that report were not provided to Cal Fresco until December 19, 2011, (five days after the sampling occurred), Cal Fresco must rely on information provided by the FDA and CDPH to trace the contaminated peppers to their source,” the company stated.
Based upon that information, Cal Fresco has identified the affected peppers as being part of Lot #205467, originating in Mexico. Cal Fresco has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, while the investigation continues.
The recalled product is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight and has no retail packaging associated with it. All retail suppliers that received this affected product are located in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver, Canada and Southern California, Alaska, Washington and Dallas, Texas. All retail suppliers who received this product have been notified and were directed to immediately remove and destroy any remaining product in their inventories.
Consumers who purchased the above described Serrano peppers between the dates of December 8 and December 21, 2011 should contact the store from where they purchased the product and inquire as to whether the affected product was sold by that store location.
Salmonella is a bacteria which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
