Abuelo's Responds to CDC and FDA Warning on Certain Types of Raw Peppers an...( LUBBOCK Texas July 11 /- Abuelo's...),Health

LUBBOCK, Texas, July 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Abuelo's restaurants today released the following statement regarding the nationwide Salmonella outbreak that has been linked to consumption of certain raw jalapeno and Serrano peppers, and tomatoes.

"Based on the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Abuelo's has decided to remove all fresh jalapenos from our recipes and plate presentations at this time. We are substituting either Poblano peppers or Anaheim peppers in our recipes that normally would include jalapeno peppers," said Bob Lin, President of Food Concepts International, Abuelo's parent company. "Additionally, Abuelo's uses fresh Roma tomatoes that are provided by FDA-approved vendors from approved areas only. At this time, we are also using a pasteurized tomato product in our salsa."

"These are strictly precautionary measures in response to the nationwide Salmonella outbreak and investigation. Abuelo's has had no reported cases of food-borne illness, Salmonella or otherwise, during this ongoing investigation by CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," added Lin.

"Protecting the health and safety of our guests is a top priority for Abuelo's. We will continue to closely monitor this situation and keep our guests up to date with the most accurate information."

For more information and updates on the outbreak, visit FDA's website at http://www.fda.gov. For more information on Abuelo's, visit http://www.abuelos.com.