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FDA Adds Cilantro And Peppers To Salmonella Watch List
msnbc.msn.com — Inspectors are collecting soil, water and produce samples, reviewing export logs and combing packing plants in three major tomato-growing states in Mexico. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration appears no closer to finding the source of a mysterious salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 900 people nationwide.
reed77- 530 diggs
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- reed77, on 07/06/2008, -0/+34Its like salmonella salsa.
- jotate, on 07/06/2008, -0/+11Seriously, this ***** is ruining my delicious Mexican food.
- Zandarrr, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1It's a bad summer for Chipotle.
- JohnnySoftware, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5Well, actually, that has happened before in the USA - intentionally, as a matter of fact.
There was a deliberate case of food tampering back in the 1980s. It affected a score of restaurants across a town in Oregon. The cult had targeted the town's food in an attempt to directly subvert the democratic process and essentially take over control of it.
Their idea was to sicken many hundreds of people, keeping them home on election day and bring in vagrant out of town shills from other cities to outvote the real residents, who would be home sickened by severe stomach cramps and other things.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Rajneeshee_biote ...
They mostly got away with it. Took a year for government researchers to stumble upon the fact that what had happened was not merely a case of some accidental food contamination. By that time, they could not seem to bring a case together. Some of the birds had already flown the coop, going back overseas again.
Interestingly, the attack which sickened nearly a thousand people who had eaten out in that town was just a test. It was simply an attempt to see how effective the contagion [Salmonella enterica Typhimurium] they had bought and cultured was when applied directly to salad bar ingredients and the contents of coffee creamer pitchers.
The immigrant medical worker who obtained and cultured the pathogen as a bioweapon nicknamed the culture she handed out to fellow cult members to distribute "salsa".
In 2006, an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium - the same bacteria as the Rajaneesh cult used in the 1980s, affected tomatoes served in restaurants. See Wikipedia link above for details.
FDA's November 3, 2006 announcement, URL from official web site and quote about the restaurant-vectored salmonella:
"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the results of an investigation by state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) investigators, which found consuming tomatoes in restaurants as the cause of illnesses in the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. To date, 21 states have reported 183 cases of illnesses to the CDC."
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01504.h ...
Salmonella salsa, indeed!
- BillE3, on 07/06/2008, -13/+6Funny how long it takes before an mention is made of the Mexican products that could be tainted. Once more the gov't is protecting Mexico.
- itsthebrod, on 07/06/2008, -0/+11Huh? Even at the beginning the FDA suspected it was the Mexican tomatoes... Now they're just expanding the possibilities to include peppers and cilantro and other items from Mexico. How is that "protecting" them?
- superkendall, on 07/06/2008, -6/+3They didn't publicize that very clearly then, I'd been looking at the lists from the start but did not realize tomatoes from Mexico were suspect. Instead they provided a long list of places you could use tomatoes from... I was wondering why they didn't just have a shorter list of the places to look out for.
- Egoist, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6Perhaps because your reading comprehension level is so poor. Every article I've read regarding this outbreak mentions that they're looking at several states and Mexico to find the outbreak.
- fpaudon, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1And remember how quick the US government was to label Chinese products as tainted? I didn't see the Spinach E-Coli outbreak or the Salmonella outbreak making quite as big a headline
- Egoist, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3Because we still don't know where the outbreak is. Unlike Chinese toys that have the manufacturers' names on every item, tomatoes get mixed in with every other producer's tomatoes and tracking them back is very difficult.
- itsthebrod, on 07/06/2008, -0/+11Huh? Even at the beginning the FDA suspected it was the Mexican tomatoes... Now they're just expanding the possibilities to include peppers and cilantro and other items from Mexico. How is that "protecting" them?
- cygnus2112, on 07/06/2008, -2/+27Diarrhea ... cha cha cha!
- gamabunta, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6When you're walking to the mail and you see a brown trail....
- loki440, on 07/06/2008, -1/+7When you're trying to go legit but realize you're full of sh*t...
- rald84, on 07/06/2008, -1/+6When you're sliding into home and your pants are full of foam
- iharbinger, on 07/06/2008, -3/+1that's a new one.
- HappyNihilist, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3Some people think it's funny but it's really brown and runny...
/Inner sever-year-old.
- gamabunta, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6When you're walking to the mail and you see a brown trail....
- Croecop, on 07/06/2008, -1/+17Spice weasels are still good, right? BAM!
- BennyGreenberg, on 07/06/2008, -0/+9Salsa might just be the key -
Tomatoes, Cilantro and peppers - make up the basis for most salsa - add onions and maybe we have a thread to follow? - rumblestrut, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5Well crap. That's one half of the diet of my Guinea pigs.
- DeFex, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1Local tomatoes are fine, you shouldn't buy veggies which traveled thousands of miles in a truck anyways.
Btw guinnea pigs are tasty.
- DeFex, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1Local tomatoes are fine, you shouldn't buy veggies which traveled thousands of miles in a truck anyways.
- fr3ddie, on 07/06/2008, -2/+7its all part of a plot by mexicans to take over america!
- PBurnsOneDown, on 07/06/2008, -1/+10thank you globalization
- smoothmann, on 07/06/2008, -2/+6Salmonella is going to end the entire human population
- facelesscoward, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5Not if we all stop eating.
- johnpaul191, on 07/06/2008, -0/+20buy local!
- prahareturns, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Great suggestion, unfortunately it won't prevent salmonella. It will only limit the impact and make identifying the source very easy.
You solution is also impractical for the vast majority of the United States population. The problem is complicated even further if the "local" farms you are suggesting are truly organic (i.e., not just organic by the government standards).
- prahareturns, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Great suggestion, unfortunately it won't prevent salmonella. It will only limit the impact and make identifying the source very easy.
- Typhoon2009, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4ffffuuccckkk
And I thought we had a cure for salmonella? Or at the very least a strong treatment for it?- superkendall, on 07/06/2008, -1/+7Of course we do, but some people are simply weak and have a lot of complications from a pretty strong illness like this.
- flagrant, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1You just take antibiotics but it can really hurt people that are already ill. I had it a couple years ago. If you're healthy it goes away pretty quick once you realize you have it and get treated. It kind of sucks leading up to that point, though.
- macweirdo42, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Oh sure, we can treat it, but unfortunately, by the time you realize you need the treatment, you'll be wishing for death. Really, what'd be ideal is to not get it in the first place.
- VitaminH, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2All you technically need is antibiotics but generally as stated above by the time you realize you need them you're well into it and it anyone with a decent immune system will be killing it off at that time anyway. So honestly, antibiotic use for the otherwise healthy in salmonella is a waste and only furthering antibiotic resistance.
- republicker, on 07/06/2008, -6/+31. Call sick people and ask what they ate that day.
2. Pinpoint source of salmonella
3. Problem solved- ho0ber, on 07/06/2008, -0/+7yes, because they know what day they contracted it...
- VitaminH, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Generally takes several days for the symptoms to set in. It's a common misconception with people when they get food poisoning that it's the last thing they ate or at least something that ate that day. It almost never is, as both E.Coli and Salmonella take a few days before they hit you.
- republicker, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1You guys cant remember what you ate 48 hours ago?
- malaak, on 07/06/2008, -2/+5Pepto Bismal
- Amadeus2490, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5Pepto-Bismol.
- 2oonhed, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is!
- Strooperman, on 07/06/2008, -0/+17Buy local or grow your own! Certainly most anyone can grow cilantro.
- beauley, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1Think it might be our immune system...since there are so many toxins in our foods now to kill it totally. The FDA has given food producers the green light to add many new artificial additives for greater profits with no nutritional value, but do have toxic value.
- Thepirateking, on 07/07/2008, -1/+1But why would you want to? It tastes like soap!
- dizturbd2, on 07/06/2008, -0/+8they will be adding water and air to the list soon, at the rate they're going
- 4madeus, on 07/06/2008, -6/+1At this point in time I would like to remind everyone of the tasty BEAN CUP at Roybertito's.
- ackack, on 07/06/2008, -1/+9So basically they still don't have a freakin' clue.
Heck of a job, FDA! Mission Accomplished! - londubh, on 07/06/2008, -2/+13Either the FDA is incompetent or some people are being protected. The FDA has been gutted so they are woefully understaffed and then packed with Bush appointees who are less than qualified. Most likely it's incompetence and protection.
- janielou, on 07/06/2008, -8/+4Mexican tomato growers, greatly damaged American Tomato Growers because of the cheap products coming across the border. NAFTA, at in action. Deregulation in action, the FDA is now ask to police our food supply coming from Latin America. I never heard of theis type of diseases in the food chain untill NAFTA was passed.
- Flummoxer, on 07/06/2008, -2/+7You've never heard of salmonella?
I guess you're the type that doesn't wash your hands after cooking with raw chicken. - prahareturns, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2A few notes:
FDA: The history of the FDA goes back to 1906 and the "Wiley Act" which was focused on goods transfered interstate which would apply to imported food sources.
NAFTA: NAFTA has had positive and negative impacts for all countries involved. US produce exports to Mexico have increased since the inception of NAFTA. Many of Mexico's farmers have been hurt by NAFTA. This is normal for any cross country trade agreement. Finding a 100% win-win pact is virtually impossible.
Salmonella: The Salmonella bacteria has been documented for over 100 years. Just because you are not aware of a bacteria does not build a tie between NAFTA and the bacteria.- janielou, on 07/18/2008, -0/+0Fact: Increased trade flows can benefit an economy, as long as they do not lead to unsustainable deficits. The administration fails to note that much of the increased volume of trade under NAFTA was a massive surge in imports into the United States – resulting in a 691 percent increase in the U.S. NAFTA trade deficit, which puts the U.S. and North American economies at risk.
I copied this from Public Citizens webpage heres the link, if you would like to be more informed.
http://www.citizen.org/trade/nafta/articles.cfm?ID ...
- janielou, on 07/18/2008, -0/+0Fact: Increased trade flows can benefit an economy, as long as they do not lead to unsustainable deficits. The administration fails to note that much of the increased volume of trade under NAFTA was a massive surge in imports into the United States – resulting in a 691 percent increase in the U.S. NAFTA trade deficit, which puts the U.S. and North American economies at risk.
- Flummoxer, on 07/06/2008, -2/+7You've never heard of salmonella?
- Venkatsubramane, on 07/06/2008, -1/+9I hope to live through this ordeal, and one day, tell my grandchildren the story about the Great Tomato Scare of 2008.
- aresef, on 07/06/2008, -0/+8So is Chipotle just going to close with all this?
Ah, damnit.- russ3, on 07/06/2008, -2/+1Hopefully they will just stop putting cilantro in there food, and when that happens I will finally return!
- erix84, on 07/06/2008, -0/+0I was pissed when Chipotle got rid of their tomato salsa from the tomato scare... I would've rather ate it "at my own risk."
- SuperJimmyJimbo, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4NOOO, i need my sweet pepper on my subway club!
- Khevenhuller, on 07/06/2008, -9/+5FECAL matter comes in contact with the vegetables??? EEEWWWWW!!! Sounds like something that would happen in Mexico.
- macweirdo42, on 07/06/2008, -0/+8*facepalm* Yes, fecal matter comes in contact with vegetables. It's called fertilizer.
- Betrayer, on 07/06/2008, -1/+3or the guy who has diahreha and doesnt wash his hands at the packing plant or your favorite fast food place.
- macweirdo42, on 07/06/2008, -0/+8*facepalm* Yes, fecal matter comes in contact with vegetables. It's called fertilizer.
- dontstaylong, on 07/06/2008, -0/+7hey FDA, quit ***** up my summer.
- aserer511, on 07/06/2008, -1/+7LOOK AT THESE ***** PEPPERS
THEY'LL ***** KILL YOU- fpaudon, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Why would you bother making these stupid references if only 1% of people are going to recognize it?
- AUniquePerson, on 07/06/2008, -0/+180% of all statistics are made up on the spot!
- fpaudon, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Why would you bother making these stupid references if only 1% of people are going to recognize it?
- andregriffin, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4*****! I was gonna make salsa!
- trshtehdsh, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3goddamit, pico de gallo is one of my most favorite things in life.
but now i'm 99.99999999% sure that it was eating at chipotle that gave me food poisoning 5 days before the big salmonella story broke.- ubuwalker31, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1That's because its Chipolte. I walk past a Chipolte every day to work, and it always smells rank because of the poor sanitation. E Coli != Salmonella
- ZenPirate, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4 I started a nice small garden this year. I figure by the time fall hits "clean" veggies will be worth more than gold...
- beauley, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1We must tell congress that the FDA must be replaced by election and the election must be by the voting citizens. We the citizens must take our heads out of the sand and open our eyes and play a much bigger part in the decisions of our government and not talk rhetoric which will produce nothing.
- Arcticulates, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2When all is said and done and many business dealing with tomatos are put out of business, they will say oops it wasn't the tomatos after all it was because someone didn't wash their hands before handling in the warehouse!
- LaughingMan11, on 07/06/2008, -2/+5Awesome. I hate cilantro anyway!
- SkyeWolfie, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Pretty soon there won't be any food we can eat...I WANT my salsa!!
- thurows, on 07/06/2008, -4/+1Thank NAFTA for crap.
- Amadeus2490, on 07/06/2008, -0/+4I think they're doing this just to raise the costs of all the produce.
"Well, It's tomatoes!! No. . .It's peppers!! No. . .It's cilantro!! No. . ."
They shouldn't cancel entire shipments just because they THINK that it MAY be a FEW of those vegetables of rtuis that got people sick. - origamistars, on 07/06/2008, -2/+4I ***** hate cilantro. This can only be a good thing.
- DeFex, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1yes it tastes like dirt.
- seanmc303, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5All vegetables are trying to kill us with their salamander diseases. Let face it. It's either us or them. Lets kill all the vegetables before they kill us.
- rearlgrant, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2They hate us for our freedoms...
- winston840, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3And that's why I have a garden . no salmonella on my food.:O
- dtfinch, on 07/06/2008, -0/+2They skipped onions.
- atact88, on 07/06/2008, -0/+5This obviously means we have to legalize marijuana.
- arjie, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1I'm pretty sure I'm the only person who thought that the government was warning us against the Slylandro.
- endgame, on 07/06/2008, -0/+6When I read this article I could not believe that they dont do any testing on the products before they get to the U.S.. That's just simply ridicules, support your local farms STOP buying ***** fruits & vegetables from Mexico. Look at ALL the labels when you buy fruits & vegetables. I think many of you would be shocked to know that most of the garlic you buy at Ralphs & Albertsons is from China. Yet just a couple hundred miles up the coast in Gilroy we have some of the best garlic fields in the world, yet somehow its STILL cheaper to get the garlic from China.
- meburnette, on 07/06/2008, -1/+1no more pico de gallo for me :(
- Heywoodj, on 07/06/2008, -0/+3Attack...of the killer...tomaaatosss.......
Not yet referenced?
Yup got nothen - newms32, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1I have the genetic condition where I taste cilantro as being soapy and metallic. The less of it, the better.
- robertstevenson, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1It is still safe to eat bark.
- DiggGeek24, on 07/06/2008, -1/+5Haha eat that vegetarians im eating a salmonella free steak.
- StriderNemesis, on 07/06/2008, -1/+2This reminds me of all the times we've gotten contaminated meat from the U.S. It's funny how Americans blame all diseases on other countries (especially bacterial). Not long ago, a friend went to New York for a couple of weeks and she returned with a nice "population" of Salmonella Typhi in her system. It was ironic.
- chumleyuk, on 07/06/2008, -0/+1Hey, I have a clever idea. I'm going to save a bit of money by taking all the local human waste instead of buying expensive fertilizers and then spray them all over my crops. Good as a pesticide too probably...
Probably not. - socialwebtools, on 07/07/2008, -0/+2What's next?
- beauley, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1I believe this letter(at the bottom of the page will put things in a somewhat correct perspective for in depth thought by all of us.
Letters to the editor for 06-19-08 (phillyBurbs_com) Reader Voices.htm - heymisspenny, on 07/08/2008, -1/+1They just want us to stop eating so we all die off, and in the end it solves world hunger, war, and global warming because were not here to eff it up any more. (horrible, aren't I?)
Just wash your fruit/greens/veggies, people.
And buy local. -
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