CLEVELAND, Ohio-- A North Carolina company is recalling more than 6,000 pounds of fresh serrano chili peppers after some of the produce tested positive for Salmonella, a potentially dangerous bacterium that causes food-borne illness, according to a news release.

Bailey Farms, Inc. of Oxford distributed the Serrano chili peppers (which are similar to a jalapeno pepper but smaller) to Meijer stores in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, as well as Publix Super Markets Inc., Merchants Distributors, Inc., Walmart, Food Lion, Flavor 1st Growers and Packers, US Foods, Military Produce Group, LLC.,C&S Wholesalers, John Vena, Inc. and Harris Teeter.

You can check for Meijer locations in Ohio here.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection usually lasts 4 to 7 days and resolves on its own. In some people, the Salmonella infection (or salmonellosis) may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites, and can be deadly unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. Young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are the most likely to have severe infections.

If you've bought the peppers from any of these locations between October 2nd and October 21st, you should call the store to confirm they are subject to the recall, and then discard the product.

Routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture on October 13th picked up Salmonella on some of the peppers in a warehouse in Lansing, Michigan, according to the company. Bailey Farms received notice that the sample tested positive on October 20th and is working with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to investigate the cause, according to the release.

There have not yet been any reports of illness related to the recalled product.

For more information, you can call Bailey Farms at 1-888-820-2545, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern time.

You can also find more information about food safety from the FDA here, or by calling 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. eastern time.