Federal health officials have closed the investigation into a Salmonella outbreak tied to imported jalapeño peppers after 488 people in 34 states got sick. The investigation ended without an answer to its biggest question. In its final update on Oct. 2, the Food and Drug Administration's outbreak investigation page said the agency "was unable to determine a route or source of contamination for this outbreak."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak over and reported 65 hospitalizations and no deaths. According to the CDC's investigation details for the Salmonella Javiana outbreak, "A common grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, that supplies to Coast Citrus Distributors was identified as the likely source in this outbreak." A likely source identified through supply records is not the same as a confirmed cause.
