The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found jalapeno pepper grown in Mexico and processed in Texas tested positive for the strain of salmonella.(File Photo)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found jalapeno pepper grown in Mexico and processed in Texas tested positive for the strain of salmonella linked to an ongoing nationwide outbreak, health officials said on Monday.

The pepper, which showed up at a south Texas distribution facility, was originated in Mexico.

The FDA said inspectors were in Mexico searching for a possible source of the contamination.

Mexican agriculture ministry spokesman Marco Antonio Sifuentes said Mexico was opening an investigation into the case. Mexico maintains the strain of bacteria that sickened people in the United States has never been found in Mexico.

The authorities did not know whether the pepper was contaminated with salmonella saintpaul on the farm in Mexico where it was grown, at a distribution center in McAllen, Texas, or somewhere in between. The distribution center has issued a recall on its peppers.

The FDA warned no one should eat or serve uncooked jalapeno or serrano peppers, which have a similar appearance, anywhere in the United States.

The finding comes just days after the agency lifted a ban on eating fresh tomatoes, the original suspect in the outbreak that has sickened more than 1,200 people in 43 states, Canada, and Washington, D.C.

Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) can cause diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Symptoms typically start 12-72 hours after infection.

(Agencies via Xinhua News Agency July 22,2008)