The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reportedly increasing its investigation into imported produce as the search for the source of the recent Salmonella outbreak continues.
But, contrary to reports, the agency is not blocking fresh produce imports at the US-Mexico border.
Produce Marketing Association (PMA) president Bryan Silbermann told The Packer that as of 7 July, the FDA was now concentrating their inspections on Mexican imports, and in particular Serrano and Jalapeño chiles and coriander shipments.
However, he stressed that the agency had not closed the US’ southern frontier, despite reports suggesting otherwise at the weekend.
The Mexican authorities have responded to the FDA investigation by claiming that there is no evidence linking the US Salmonella outbreak with Mexican products.
“In Mexico, we have not detected any outbreak of Salmonella in recent months, especially not the strain that appeared in the US,” Mexican agriculture department spokesman, Marco Antonio Sifuentes, told Reuters.
