Jalapeno peppers were pulled late Friday from the produce aisles at all Food City, Basha's and A.J. Fine Food stores in Arizona. The company said it had learned that it's distributor had tested positive for the salmonella virus.

Hundreds of people across the country have been sickened since the outbreak was first reported in May. It was initially thought the source was tomatoes, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now says the source is jalapenos grown in Mexico.

The local chain says it will replace the jalapenos in its' stores with peppers grown in the United States. It says anyone who purchased jalapenos from any of its stores prior to August 1, 2008, can return them for a full refund.

A spokesperson for the Pima County Health Department told Fox 11 News Friday night that they were not aware of Basha's actions.

Patti Woodcock says if you did purchase jalapenas at one of the stores prior to Friday and don't want to return them, don't consume them. "Tie them up in a plastic bag and dispose of them, but do so to make sure no one else will find them and eat them," she said. Woodcock says the danger is more acute for the elderly or people with compromised immune systems.