Mexican Farm Linked to Jalapeño Salmonella Outbreak in U.S.

Why it matters locally: Given North Carolina's agricultural sector and food distribution networks, contaminated produce could enter the state's food supply, potentially affecting consumers and local businesses that rely on fresh produce imports.

Federal officials have traced jalapeño peppers connected to a multistate salmonella outbreak in the United States to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico. Investigators also identified a U.S. distributor as part of their inquiry. Regulators linked the contaminated peppers to the outbreak affecting multiple states. They identified both the farm in Mexico and a distributor operating within the U.S. The investigation into the source of the salmonella contamination continues. Authorities have not yet released the names of the specific farm or distributor.