The State of North Carolina has forced the recall of Mexican-grown HASS avocados and jalapenos of unknown origin after they tested positive for Salmonella.
Two samples from a Charlotte, NC food distributor tested positive for salmonella. The state asked the company to recall jalapeno peppers and HASS avocados it received from a specific Texas food supply company.
In addition, the Texas supplier has been requested to recall all of the implicated products distributed in North Carolina.
The HASS avocados were shipped from Texas in boxes labeled "Frutas Finas de Tancitaro HASS Avocados, Produce of Mexico," 60 count with lot number HUE08160090889.
The jalapenos were shipped in black plastic crates weighing about 15 pounds
and containing no brand name or other label.
There is no confirmation yet that this contamination is the same Salmonella Saintpaul strain that has sickened 23 people in North Carolina and more than 1,200 people nationwide.
State Public Health Director Leah Devlin said, "We do not know yet whether this is the Salmonella Saintpaul strain, but these potentially contaminated products must be removed regardless."