Bailey Farms Inc. of Oxford, N.C. is voluntarily recalling 6,215 pounds of Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditic and arthritis.

The Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers was distributed to Meijer Inc. and customers may have purchased this product from Oct. 14-19 at Meijer stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

In addition this product was distributed to Publix Super Markets Inc., Merchants Distributors Inc., Walmart, Food Lion, Flavor 1st Growers and Packers, US Foods, Military Produce Group LLC., C&S Wholesalers, John Vena Inc. and Harris Teeter. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers from the above listed companies between the dates of Oct. 2-21 should check with the above listed companies to verify if the product was subject to recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

A random sample was taken by the Michigan Department of Agriculture on Oct. 13 from a warehouse in Lansing, Mich. Bailey Farms received notice that the sample tested positive for Salmonella on Oct. 20. This recall is the result of the possibility that the remainder of these lots could be contaminated with this bacteria. The FDA is working with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate the root cause of the potential contamination.

Bailey Farms Inc. has notified all of their customers who have purchased Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers during said dates.

Release Date: October 21, 2014
Source: FDA