The Kane County Health Department is advising residents that Bailey Farms, Inc. of Oxford, N.C., is voluntarily recalling 6,215 pounds of Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers, because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Although no illnesses have been reported to date, the product was distributed to Meijer, Inc., and consumers may have purchased this product from Oct. 14 to Oct. 19 at Meijer stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. In addition this product was distributed to Publix Super Markets Inc., Merchants Distributors, Inc., Walmart, Food Lion, Flavor 1st Growers and Packers, US Foods, Military Produce Group, LLC.,C&S Wholesalers, John Vena, Inc. and Harris Teeter. Consumers who suspect they may have purchased Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers from the above listed companies between the dates of Oct. 2 to Oct. 21, should check with the above listed companies to verify if the product was subject to recall.

A random sample was taken by the Michigan Department of Agriculture on Oct. 13, 2014, from a warehouse in Lansing, MI. Bailey Farms, Inc. received notice that the sample tested positive for Salmonella on Oct. 20, 2014. This recall is the result of the possibility that the remainder of these lots could be contaminated with this bacteria. Bailey Farms, Inc. has notified all of their customers who have purchased Fresh Serrano Chile Peppers during said dates.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which 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 (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditic and arthritis.

Consumers with questions can contact Bailey Farms, Inc. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Eastern Standard Time at 888-820-2545.

SOURCE: Kane County Health Department