A single crafty protein allows the deadly bacterium Salmonella enterica to both invade cells lining the intestine and hijack cellular functions to avoid destruction, Yale researchers report in the April 17 issue of the journal Cell.

A fresh jalapeño pepper may provide clues as to how a salmonella strain infected over 1200 people in the U.S. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) it’s unknown of the pepper became contaminated in Mexico or after it was processed in Texas. Nevertheless, scientists consider today’s finding as a “significant break”:

Here is the link to the CDC statement on salmonella and tomatoes. David Mitchell of The Packer is covering this story this week, so watch for his updates on The Packer news site. Amy Philpott of United Fresh indicated that FDA is expected to make a statement or release information today.

A new study presents the first evidence that harmful pathogens frequently linked with food-borne illnesses are more commonly found on younger inner leaves than on older outer leaves of romaine lettuce. The researchers from the Produce Safety and Microbiology Research Unity, Albany, California and the University of California, Berkley report their findings in the April 2008 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

A new study suggests salmonella strains collected from human salamonellosis patients to be distinct from those of animal origin, a finding that could significantly impact the development of treatment methods for foodborne illnesses. The researchers report their findings in the March 2008 journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

The latest spate of meat recalls due to E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella contamination might have consumers wondering about the safety of their meat products.

An infectious disease specialist testified Friday that chicken litter is wrongly blamed for threatening to the Illinois River watershed.

The California Department of Public Health on Sunday warned consumers not to eat certain brands of alfalfa sprouts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Bacteria which live symbiotically inside the blood-sucking pests called red poultry mites could be a new and effective target to prevent the spread of Salmonella and similar pathogens in chickens, turkeys and other table birds, according to scientists speaking today (Wednesday 5 September 2007) at the Society for General Microbiology’s 161st Meeting at the University of Edinburgh, UK, which runs from 3-6 September 2007.

Probiotics, the friendly bacteria beloved of yoghurt advertisers, may be an effective substitute for growth promoting antibiotics in pigs, giving us safer pork products, according to scientists speaking today (Wednesday 5 September 2007) at the Society for General Microbiology’s 161st Meeting at the University of Edinburgh, UK, which runs from 3-6 September 2007.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Golden Boy Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume the Whole Black Pepper and Mixed Peppercorn described below because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.