NC agriculture chief seeks calm on state peppers

RALEIGH -- State agriculture officials are trying to ease concerns about the safety of North Carolina peppers after federal health officials warned buyers to avoid fresh jalapenos. State Department of Agriculture spokesman Brian Long said Wednesday the state's farmers are already having problems selling their product, even though some growers haven't even pulled chilies from the vine. North Carolina farmers grow about 1,000 acres of chili peppers. The Food and Drug Administration is trying to pinpoint the source of salmonella contamination that has sickened more than 1,200 people nationally. North Carolina produce was initially cleared, but the FDA hasn't provided a safe list for peppers. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler planned to address local concerns Wednesday. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)