One contaminated pepper field became five aisles of homework. Federal guidance is unchanged — do not eat, sell, or serve recalled jalapeños or anything containing them [1] — but the recalled product no longer looks like peppers. Here is where to look.

Fresh produce first: bulk jalapeños in generic Coast Tropical packaging are the outbreak's origin and remain subject to recall. [2] The refrigerated case is wider: Whole Foods pulled salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo, and prepared foods sold in twelve states from Texas to Ohio with best-before dates of August 7 through 16. [1] The deli and prepared-foods counter follows — NatureBest and H-E-B brand items including pico de gallo and stuffed mushrooms distributed in Texas and Louisiana between July 3 and August 5. [1] The soup and shelf-stable aisle belongs on the list too; NatureBest's action covered soup mix containing the peppers. [1] Finally the meat and poultry counter: USDA's food safety arm issued a public health alert for fully cooked, refrigerated products made with the jalapeños by Taylor Farms and Greencore USA. [3]

This paper traced the cascade store by store yesterday; the practical rule survives every update. Most best-by dates have passed, but freezers and fridges keep secrets. If you cannot tell where the peppers in a product came from, discard it or return it. [2]

-- NORA WHITFIELD, Chicago