FDA Warning for Tomato Lifted, Focus is Now on Raw Jalapeño and Serrano Peppers From Mexico

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has updated its warning to consumers nationwide concerning the outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is removing its June 7 warning against eating certain types of raw tomatoes. FDA investigation has determined that the current Salmonella outbreak is not associated with fresh tomatoes that are now available in the domestic market.

Laboratory testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that both a sample of Serrano pepper and a sample of irrigation water collected by agency investigators on a farm in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico (business address is in Nuevo Leon, Mexico) contain Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint as the strain of bacteria that is causing the current outbreak in the United States.

Due to this finding, FDA is advising consumers to avoid raw Serrano peppers from Mexico, raw jalapeño peppers from Mexico, and any foods that contain them.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers that jalapeño and Serrano peppers grown in the United States are not connected with the current Salmonella St. Paul outbreak and consumers may feel free to eat them without concern of contamination. In addition to domestically grown raw jalapeño peppers, commercially canned, pickled and cooked jalapeño peppers from any and all geographic locations also are not connected with the current Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak.

People in high-risk populations, such as elderly persons, infants and people with impaired immune systems, should avoid eating raw jalapeño and raw Serrano peppers from Mexico or food made from raw Serrano peppers from Mexico until further notice.

The FDA will continue to refine its consumer guidance as the agency’s investigation continues.

Note: This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

Information on safe handling of produce can be found at:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/'dms/prodsafe.html

Tomato consumer page can be found at:
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

Updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at:
www.cdc.gov

Howard County Health Department Food Protection Program
7178 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
Tel: 410-313-1772

Howard County Attacks Lyme Disease

Officials from Howard County Health Department and the Horizon Foundation met to attack the issue of Lyme Disease. Maryland is one of ten states in which Lyme Disease is endemic. Howard County is the second hardest hit county in the State amongst those with cases reported. (Studies in Connecticut and Maryland estimated seven to 12 unreported cases for each reported case. [CDC 1992-1998])

Lyme Disease is a bacterial disease usually transmitted by a deer tick. Within about a week of being infected, people may have a "bull's-eye" rash with fever, headache and muscle or joint pain. Further, the bacteria may spread throughout the body causing symptoms such as joint pain and inflammation of the heart or nerves. If the disease is not treated, additional symptoms as serious as mental change may occur.

The Health Department recommends the following:

Personal Protection:

• When participating in outdoor activities: use insecticide, wear light colored clothing and close-toed shoes, and tuck pants into socks.
• Check the body for ticks after returning from outside. Removal of a tick within 36 hours reduces the risk of Lyme disease infection.
• Remove a tick with tweezers, grasping the tick close to the skin and pulling gently. After removal, wash the affected area with soap and water, and mark the date on your calendar, which will be useful to your doctor in the event medical attention is needed.
• Be able to identify the primary symptom of Lyme disease, the “bulls-eye” rash (erythema migrans). Seek medical attention if the rash is found or suspected.

Property Protection:

Because ticks need moisture to survive, the following are steps to reduce tick habitat on your lawn:

• Keep grass short
• Remove leaf litter
• Create wood chip/rock wall barriers between lawn and forest edge
• Allow sunlight on lawn
• Apply pesticides to lawns once or twice per year in consultation with a certified pest control professional

Click here for an information sheet about how to protect yourself from tick-borne diseases.

For additional information visit: www.cdc.gov/lyme