WASHINGTON (AP) - The McAllen plant where health officials found salmonella on a single Mexican-grown jalapeno is recalling its fresh peppers.

The plant, Agricola Zaragoza, has suspended sales of fresh jalapenos and recalled those shipped since June 30 - shipments it said were made to Georgia and Texas.

The Food and Drug Administration's food safety chief says the discovery of the same strand of salmonella in the nationwide outbreak on the pepper is a "very important break." But the case isn't closed yet. And tomatoes, the original suspects in the outbreak that has sickened more than 1,200 people in 43 states, aren't totally exonerated yet.

The FDA hasn't said how far produce from the plant near the Mexican border may have traveled, although it's not considered a major processor. Investigators are trying to figure out where the pepper became tainted -- on the farm, in the plant or at some stop in between.

For now, the FDA is warning against eating fresh jalapenos and products made with them, such as fresh salsa. Tomatoes now on the market are considered safe to eat.


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