About 1.24 million pounds of pepper-crusted salami was recalled by a Rhode Island company, Daniele Inc. The recall was made after officials traced a salmonella outbreak.

The salami was recalled on Saturday, after officials saw shopping lists of those who got sick.

Since July about 184 people have fallen ill in 38 states.

William Keene, a senior epidemiologist at the public health division in Oregon, has linked Daniele to the ongoing outbreak. In Oregon about eight people have fallen ill.

“The answers won't be known until the factory investigation is finished. I don't think that other possibilities have been ruled out yet," said Keene.

Experts questioned whether salmonella came from the meat or pepper as reports state that uncooked pepper may carry salmonella.

Investigations stated that a majority of 14 people who fell ill had shopped from Costco, Keene said. Costco however remained tight lipped by not returning calls for comments. It did post a notice related to the outbreak on its website though.