CINCINNATI (AP) - The nation's largest traditional grocery chain has removed all jalapeno peppers from its stores as a precaution.

Kroger Co. spokeswoman Meghan Glynn says the Cincinnati-based company decided to halt jalapeno sales after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported Monday that a Texas distributor was recalling jalapenos because they had the potential to be contaminated with salmonella. She says Kroger removed jalapenos the next day, even though none of its supply was from the distributor.

The government is warning against eating fresh jalapenos or products made from them while it continues to investigate a national salmonella outbreak initially linked to tomatoes.

Kroger operates almost 2,500 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states.

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