Montero Farms is recalling orange habanero peppers, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. recalled-Montero-Farms-peppers The McAllen, TX, company shipped the orange peppers in 8-pound cardboard boxes to locations in Indianapolis and McAllen beginning April 28 and continuing through Friday when the recall was posted on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. The boxes of recalled orange habanero peppers can be identified by the lot number 41142-41143, which is on the box tops. A total of 154 boxes are implicated in the recall. As of the posting of the recall notice, no illnesses had been reported in connection with the recalled peppers. Inspectors for FDA discovered the potential Salmonella contamination by way of routine random testing. “Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem,” according to the recall notice. “Consumers who have purchased any orange habanero peppers from the lots #41142-41143 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 956-686-8959 Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. CDT. Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea that may be bloody, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis. (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)