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The following health alert is from the FDA on December 21, 2011.

Cal Fresco, LLC ("Cal Fresco") is voluntarily working with the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) to coordinate a recall of fresh Jalapeño and Serrano chili peppers for potential contamination with Salmonella.
The Jalapeño recall is limited to one (1) lot (Lot #205610) containing approximately 18,500 pounds of peppers. The source of the contamination is unknown. The lot was distributed to retail stores within California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and Canada between December 3 and December 5, 2011. The product was shipped in cases under both the Cal Fresco (10 and 25 pound cases) and Grower Alliance (40 pound case) labels. The product is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight and has no retail packaging associated with it.
The Serrano Peppers Based upon information provided to Cal Fresco by the FDA and CDPH, the Serrano peppers were delivered to a retail distribution center Spokane, Washington on December 8, 2011. The source of the contamination is unknown. This recall was the result of a random USDA sampling of bulk Serrano peppers on December 12 at a Spokane, WA distribution center which revealed the presence of Salmonella in some, but not all, of the sampling. Cal Fresco has a sampling, traceability and recall program in place to detect and prevent the distribution of contaminated product. However, because the USDA Sample and Isolated Pathogen Information Report failed to disclose individual lot numbers, and because the results of that report were not provided to Cal Fresco until December 19, 2011, (five days after the sampling occurred), Cal Fresco must rely on information provided by the FDA and CDPH to trace the contaminated peppers to their source. Based upon that information, Cal Fresco has identified the affected peppers as being part of Lot #205467, originating in Mexico. Cal Fresco has ceased the distribution of all produce from this supplier while the FDA, the California Department of Public Health, and the company continue their investigation into the source of the contamination. This product is typically sold at the retail level in bulk by weight and has no retail packaging associated with it. All retail suppliers that received this affected product are located in Edmonton, Winnipeg and Vancouver, Canada and Southern California, Alaska, Washington and Dallas, Texas.
Consumers who purchased the above described Serrano peppers between the dates of December 8 and December 21, 2011 should contact the store from where they purchased the product and inquire as to whether the affected product was sold by that store location. If so, the customer should discard or return any unused product to that store for a refund. Consumer questions may be directed to Cal Fresco at 714-690-7700 between 5 AM and 1 PM PST.

The following Canadian health alert is from the CFIA on December 21, 2011.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the Serrano peppers imported from the USA, described below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Unlabelled from bulk at Safeway stores and various independent grocery stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon, between December 5 and 20, 2011, inclusively.

The following Canadian health alert is from the CFIA on December 10, 2011.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the jalapeno peppers described below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected fresh jalapeno peppers, imported from the USA, were sold as follows:

• Unlabelled from bulk at Safeway stores and various independent grocery stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon, between December 3 and 20, 2011, inclusively.
• Unlabelled from bulk or in 4.5 kg Cal Fresco brand cases at Loblaws banners (Extra Foods, No Frills, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Shop Easy, SuperValu, Real Canadian Superstore, Lucky Dollar and Your Independent Grocer) in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, between December 3 and 20, 2011, inclusively.

Consumers who have purchased bulk, unlabelled jalapeno peppers are advised to check with their place of purchase to determine if they have the affected product. The importers are voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.