Jalapenos and Cilantro Now Suspected of Salmonella

            We have seen four cases of salmonella in Lubbock County, with a possibility of a 5th case waiting to be confirmed.

            So far, the FDA still has not pinpointed the source.  And now, they’re expanding their search to include more than just tomatoes.  It could be from other raw products from Mexico like cilantro and jalapenos.

            Some Mexican restaurants around the area have to scale back to make sure everything on the menu is safe.

            Cilantro and jalapenos are prominent in things like pico de gallo and salsa.

            Local eatery Mi Tios has taken to boiling their jalapeños and completely removing cilantro from the menu.

            Fortunately, several restaurants in Lubbock say they buy from places like California that have already been deemed safe.

            Until the source is found, you can be sure that local restaurants are doing everything they can to make sure you're free from harm.

“We pulled everything out, all our product, our pico de gallo, and our soups,” said Albert Gomez, a cook at Mi Tios Restaurant.  “Our hot sauce, we had to throw it away, 'cause you know the outbreak.”

“Try to keep everything clean, wash everything, wash your hands, cut everything,” said Rudy Rosales, general manager at Montelongo’s.  “As long as you're being careful, you shouldn't have a problem.”

The FDA is recommending that infants, the elderly, and people with a weak immune system should especially stay away from any of these raw ingredients as they are the most susceptible to illness.