The pepper that sickened 431 people never stayed a pepper. FDA's consolidated Major Product Recalls page, stood up Thursday to untangle the cascade, now itemizes how Coast Citrus' recalled Sinaloa jalapeños propagated into refrigerated groceries across the country, [1] a map this paper started tracing yesterday.

The widest branch belongs to Taylor Fresh Foods, which recalled multiple products containing the jalapeños on August 9. They went to retail distribution centers in roughly two dozen states, from Florida to Vermont, with best-by dates through August 16, landing at Hannaford, Kroger, Stop and Shop, Target, Trader Joe's, Walmart, and Whole Foods. [1]

Whole Foods pulled its own salsas, guacamoles, pico de gallo, and prepared items on August 12 in twelve states, mostly south and midwestern, carrying best-before dates between August 7 and August 16. [2] The U.S. Department of Agriculture's food safety arm issued its own public health alert for meat and poultry products containing the peppers, a reminder that the ingredient crossed department lines. [1] In Texas and Louisiana, NatureBest's voluntary recall pushed H-E-B to strip more than forty-five pico tubs, stuffed mushrooms, tortas, and deli items from its shelves. [3]

The dates on most of this product have now passed. Refrigerators do not read calendars, and salmonella does not expire with the label. Check the lot codes anyway.

-- NORA WHITFIELD, Chicago