Government inspectors have found the same salmonella strain responsible for a nationwide food-poisoning outbreak in a Mexican-grown jalapeno in a Texas plant, prompting a new warning for consumers to avoid eating fresh jalapenos.

The Food and Drug Administration called today's announcement a "very important break in the case."

But it doesn't mean Mexican jalapenos are the culprit; the pepper might not have been contaminated on the farm. And while tomatoes currently are considered safe to eat, health officials also said the finding doesn't exonerate tomatoes that were sold earlier in the spring and summer.

The Texas plant, Agricola Zaragosa, has agreed to recall its fresh jalapenos, although the FDA wouldn't say how widely its produce was distributed.

It's not considered a major processor, and it's unclear how far into the United States peppers traveling through the business near the Mexican border would have traveled, the FDA said.

It's also not clear if the produce distributor ever handled tomatoes. Officials said no other produce currently in the plant has tested positive for salmonella.

From The Associated Press