Salmonella traced to one jalapeno

WASHINGTON -- Inspectors finally have a big clue in the nationwide salmonella outbreak: They found the same bacteria strain on a single Mexican-grown jalapeno pepper handled in Texas -- and issued a stronger warning for consumers to avoid fresh jalapenos.

But Monday's discovery doesn't solve the mystery: Authorities still don't know where the pepper became tainted -- on the farm, or in the McAllen, Texas, plant, or at some stop in between.

Nor are they saying the tainted pepper exonerates tomatoes that consumers had been told were the prime suspect.

Still, ''this genetic match is a very important break in the case,'' said the FDA's Dr. David Acheson.

For now, the government is strengthening its earlier precaution against hot peppers to a full-blown warning that no one should eat fresh jalapenos -- or products such as salsa made from them.

Tomatoes currently on the market now are considered safe to eat.

AP