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Save This PageThe government said yesterday that the salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 1,440 people appears to be over, but its ultimate source may never be known, partly because of shortcomings in the nation's food-safety system.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they found strong evidence to implicate jalape?o and serrano peppers, and a farm in Mexico, in the largest outbreak of foodborne illness in a decade. Investigators were unable to clear domestic and imported tomatoes, however, although the evidence against tomatoes is weaker.
The FDA also lifted its warning that consumers avoid eating jalape?o and serrano peppers from Mexico. But officials pointedly said that doesn't guarantee another such outbreak can be prevented.
FDA and CDC officials said a number of steps are needed to improve the safety of fresh produce, even as the government and the medical community are urging consumers to eat more fruits and vegetables for better nutrition.
Among those measures:
The CDC said the outbreak began in late April and that by early August the number of new cases had fallen to levels that would be considered normal. Most victims got sick during May and June.
Texas was the hardest-hit state, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the confirmed cases. People were sickened in 43 states, including Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
