K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following health alert is from the FDA on March 29, 2012.

Castellini Company LLC is recalling certain jalapeno peppers distributed from its Wilder, Kentucky facility because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was sold in full case, 1/2 case, 20lb, 10lb, 5lb, 2lb, and 1lb package sizes and distributed during the period March 8, 2012 through March 20, 2012 to military commissaries, retailers and foodservice distributors within ten states: IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV. Attached is the list of lot numbers associated with this recall.
The potential for contamination was noted after a random test by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in a store in Ohio which revealed the presence of Salmonella in a case of Jalapeno peppers.
Consumers who may have purchased these jalapeno peppers are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-859-442-4600; M-F 8:00a.m.- 5:00p.m. EST.

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The following Canadian health alert is from the CFIA on March 30, 2012.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Veg-Pak Produce Ltd. are warning consumers, distributors and retailers not to consume, distribute or sell the jalapeno peppers described below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The affected jalapeno peppers, produce of USA, were known to have been sold in bulk from the following stores in Ontario:

• Food Basics
• Ho Long Supermarket
• Kitchen Table Grocery Stores
• Longo's
• Metro
• Michael Angelo’s
• Oak Ridges Food Market
• Oceans Fresh Food Market
• Oriental Food Market
• P.A.T. Mart
• Starwind Supermarket
• Trinity Supermarket

They may have also been sold from other retail stores in Ontario. The affected peppers were sold at retail between March 8, 2012 and March 28, 2012, inclusively. Consumers who have purchased bulk, unlabelled jalapeno peppers between these dates are advised to check with their place of purchase to determine if they have the affected product. The CFIA is also warning other retailers and distributors in Ontario not to sell, use or distribute the following wholesale packages of peppers:

• 1 bushel boxes bearing the South Florida Produce logo; or
• 1/2 bushel boxes bearing JALAPENO PEPPERS, PRODUCT OF USA and Veg-Pak’s name and address on a sticker.

The wholesale packages were sold by Veg-Pak Produce at the Ontario Food Terminal, from March 8 to March 15, 2012, inclusively.
The importer, Veg-Pak Produce Ltd., Toronto, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. For more information, consumers and industry can call Veg-Pak Produce Ltd. (416) 255-7400 ext: 21.