The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found the source of the salmonella outbreak in the U.S. that sickened hundreds of people. FDA inspectors found a jalapeño pepper from a distribution center in McAllen, Texas that was a genetic match with the outbreak serotype, Salmonella Saintpaul. Talk about finding a needle in a jalapeño stack!
There’s been a lot of frustration about the 15 weeks it took to examine tomato and pepper producers and to identify this outbreak source. What has not been talked about is what a gargantuan task this was for the FDA. There are over 10 million tons of tomatoes grown in the U.S. alone each year and over 125 million tons worldwide.
It’s time for lawmakers to give the FDA the budget it needs to do its job. The Senate Appropriations Committee just last week approved a $325 million increase for the FDA after years of budgetary neglect and it needs to become law. As consumers we also need to recognize that we can never be 100% protected. However, we can reduce risk by making safe food practices, like safe storage and washing fresh fruits and vegetables, a part of our daily routine.
And as a lover of my salsa, I want to say a word of thanks to the FDA inspectors and scientists that rarely get thanks, but have dedicated their lives to protecting the public’s health and this week found a needle in a jalapeño stack.
