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Because the physical characteristics of different types of produce vary, the risks of Salmonella contamination vary from one type of fresh produce to the next. Leafy greens, tomatoes, cantaloupe, sprouts, and orange juice have all been associated with Salmonella outbreaks.

Produce can become contaminated with Salmonella in a number of ways. Contaminated farm equipment can transfer Salmonella to produce if it comes into direct contact with raw untreated manure, untreated compost, contaminated water, animals that shed Salmonella in their feces, or with people who somehow become contaminated. Fresh produce exposed to flood waters that carry Salmonella can become contaminated pre-harvest. Runoff water that could potentially carry Salmonella should be diverted from fields growing fresh produce and should not be used for irrigation.

Fresh produce fields in rural areas next to wetlands or wildlands are particularly susceptible to exposure by wild animals such as deer and wild boars that harbor Salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria. Domestic animals and livestock that make their way into fields can also contaminate fresh produce, as can field workers who are shedding Salmonella in their stool if they do not use proper hand-washing techniques, or if proper toilet facilities are not available to them in the fields where they work.

Cantaloupes have been commonly associated with Salmonella outbreaks. In 2011, cantaloupes imported from Guatemala by Del Monte Fresh were the source of a Salmonella outbreak. At least 13 confirmed Salmonella serotype Panama cases were traced to the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated Del Monte Fresh cantaloupes. See Del Monte Fresh Produce Cantaloupe Salmonella Lawsuits

Alfalfa sprouts produced by Tiny Greens Organic Farm and sold at Jimmy John’s restaurant locations across the country were the source of a multi-state Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- outbreak between November 1, 2010 and February 9, 2011. At least 140 people became ill with Salmonella infections during the outbreak. During the sprout trace-back investigation, FDA collected both product and environmental samples from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Illinois. One environmental (water run-off) sample yielded Salmonella serotype I 4,[5],12:i:- that was indistinguishable from the outbreak strain by Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). See Jimmy John’s/Tiny Green Alfalfa Sprouts Salmonella Lawsuits & Litigation

In December of 2010, sprouts were again the source of a Salmonella outbreak among Jimmy John’s restaurant customers. This outbreak was traced to alfalfa sprouts sold by Sprouters Northwest, which also sold Salmonella-contaminated sprouts to retail outlets. See Jimmy John’s/Sprouters Northwest Salmonella Lawsuits & Litigation

Between April and August of 2009, the CDC worked with state, local, and tribal public health officials to determine the source of a Salmonlla Saintpaul outbreak that was ultimately traced to jalapeno and Serrano peppers sold at Wal-Mart and distributed by Frontera Produce. At least 286 people out of 1442 who were counted as part of the Salmonella outbreak were hospitalized. See Wal-Mart and Frontera Produce Salmonella Jalapeno Pepper Outbreak Lawsuit

In April of 2008, tomatoes were thought to be the source of a Salmonella outbreak. As investigators from the CDC, state, local, and tribal health agencies interviewed case-patients about foods they had consumed in the days prior to becoming ill, they learned that jalapeno and Serrano peppers grown in Mexico and sold at Wal-Mart stores were the source of the Salmonella outbreak. By the end of the outbreak, CDC reported that 1442 people had become infected with Salmonella Saintpaul after eating contaminated jalapeno and Serrano peppers, and indicated that tomatoes may have been an additional source of infection at the beginning of the outbreak. At least 286 people were hospitalized with Salmonella Saintpaul infections during this outbreak, and two people’s deaths may have been caused by their Salmonella infections. During the outbreak investigation, jalapeno and Serrano peppers, and water from a farm in Mexico where the peppers were grown, tested positive for the outbreak strain of Salmonella Saintpaul. See Wal-Mart Salmonella Jalapeno and Serrano Pepper Outbreak.

In 2005, orange juice produced by the Orchid Island Juice Company of Florida was identified as the source of a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak investigated by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and several other state health departments. A probe of the Salmonella outbreak by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CDC, and state public health agencies led to the discovery that unpasteurized orange juice produced by Orchid Island tested positive for both the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Saintpaul. The product had been distributed in at least 30 states and 3 countries; 72 Salmonella outbreak-cases were reported. See Orchid Island Juice Co. Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuits.