Salmonella Outbreak Likely Over: CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said today the salmonella outbreak that sickened more than 1,440 people appears to be over. A joint investigation by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration found strong evidence that jalapeno peppers were a major carrier of the bacteria, and that serrano peppers were also a carrier.

The salmonella strain that caused the outbreak was traced back to a produce distribution center in Texas, and to a farm in Mexico that grew peppers. The extensive probe found no contaminated tomatoes, but investigators say they cannot rule out that tomatoes might have been a carrier, particularly early on. It was the largest outbreak of foodborne illness in the United States in the past decade. (More salmonella stories.)