The pressure of finding an explanation for the salmonella outbreak has pushed the government to boost its efforts for finding the disease’s source. A few days ago several reports presented the possibility that Mexico might have something to do with the spread and there were also rumors about the United States’ plans to close its borders to some of the Mexican exports.

Mexico's Agriculture Department firmly denied the rumors and apparently, at this point, there really isn’t any proof that the country’s tomato exports might have caused the outbreak. The numerous allegations have led to a general state of irritation, as Mexico has been targeted from day one as one of the sources for the spread of the salmonella bacteria.

“In Mexico there has been no salmonella outbreak in recent months, and definitely not of the type of salmonella being used in the United States,” said spokesman Marco Antonio, representing the Mexican Agriculture Ministry.

After the investigation’s slow progress, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided on expanding the list of suspects to cilantro and jalapeno peppers, as up until now the focus was set strictly on tomatoes.

The FDA is currently analyzing soil, product and water samples from a series of locations in Mexico and Florida in order to close in on the location of the outbreak.

So far, more than 900 people all across the country have been reported sickened by the disease and the incidents have had a disturbing effect on the industry as many restaurants and markets refused to sell tomatoes until the whole situation is properly fixed. The salmonella bacteria causes a series of illnesses including stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea and its effect last for about a week.