Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes Updated: June 9, 2008

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Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes
Updated: June 9, 2008

Topics on this Page

• Introduction
• Update on the Outbreak
• News Updates
• Advice for Retailers, Restaurateurs and Food Service Operators

• Consumer Health Information
• What Is FDA Doing?
• Information About Salmonella
• How Do I Report a Tomato Complaint?

Introduction

The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella.

The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation. However, preliminary data suggest that raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw round red tomatoes are the cause. At this time, consumers should limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.

Red Plum/Red Roma tomatoes implicated in outbreak	Round red tomato implicated in outbreak

Update on the Outbreak

June 9, 2008: The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw, red tomatoes.

At this time, FDA is advising consumers to limit their consumption of tomatoes to the following types of tomatoes. The following types of tomatoes listed below are NOT likely to be the source of this outbreak.

• cherry tomatoes

• grape tomatoes
• tomatoes sold with the vine still attached
• tomatoes grown at home

Also, FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the following areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:

Alabama
Arkansas
California
Georgia
Hawaii

Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
New York

Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee

Texas
West Virginia

Belgium
Canada
Dominican Republic
Guatemala

Israel
Netherlands
Puerto Rico

Consumers who are unsure of where the tomatoes are from that they  have in their home are encouraged to contact the store or place of  purchase for that information.

Consumers should also be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in  the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are  part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in other dishes.

Restaurants, grocery stores, and food service operators have been advised by the FDA not to offer for sale or service raw red plum, Roma, or red tomatoes and products made from these types of tomatoes unless they are from one of the areas listed above.

Since mid April, there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis  nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul, an uncommon form of  Salmonella.  At least 23 hospitalizations have been reported.

News Updates

• FDA Warns Consumers Nationwide Not to Eat Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes (June 7, 2008)
• FDA Warns Consumers in New Mexico and Texas Not to Eat Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes (June 3, 2008)

Advice for Retailers, Restaurateurs and Food Service Operators

Frequently Asked Questions

FDA traceback review, in addition to production and distribution pattern information, has indicated that tomatoes from the following sources are not associated with the outbreak:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California

• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Minnesota

• Mississippi
• New York
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• West Virginia
• Belgium
• Canada

• Dominican Republic
• Guatemala
• Israel
• Netherlands
• Puerto Rico

FDA recommends that retailers, restaurateurs, and food service operators offer only fresh and fresh cut red Roma, red plum, and round red tomatoes and food products made from these tomatoes for sale or service from the sources listed above.

FDA further recommends that retailers, restaurateurs, and food service operators continue to offer cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, from any source.

Consumer Health Information

• Warning on Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes
• Frequently Asked Questions

• How the FDA Works to Keep Produce Safe
• Safe Handling of Raw Produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices

What is FDA Doing?

• Tomato Safety Initiative

• Food Protection Plan

Information About Salmonella

• Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Saintpaul (CDC)

• General Information: Salmonella (CDC)
• Questions & Answers: Salmonella (CDC)

How Do I Report a Tomato Complaint?

• Please contact your Consumer Complaint Coordinator

 

Related Links

• Vegetables and Melons: Tomatoes (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture)

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• Subscribe to Recalls Email List

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FDA Website Management Staff

[bimbo]

Most likely source would be Mexico or Central America.

I believe the Tomato Salmonella, like the Spinach Salmonella and other outbreaks, are terrorist tactics, plain and simple. Of course, the powers-that-be will never admit that. They want you to believe the terrorists are only interested in flying planes into buildings.

[cartoonistx]

[Mamzelle]

How are these cases of poisoning coming about? Do restaurants figure prominently? How about unblemished tomatoes that you wash at home?

I use canned diced tomatoes for all my cooking, and fresh for salads and sandwiches. Canned tomatoes are surprisingly good and flavorful.

[topher]

The first reported death was a person (who had cancer) that ate Pico de Gallo at a Mexican restaurant in Texas.

Mexican tomatoes, IMHO, would be the most likely suspect.

Unfortunately, this is a billion dollar industry for Florida, and that state has not been cleared yet...

[Mamzelle]

Interesting--I had a case of poisoning (not serious, but very uncomfortable) after eating some Mexican food at a Mexican chain restaurant with pico de gallo a few months ago. Hit me before I even left the place, and was very ill by the time I got home.

Considering that salad is one of the few ways to get fresh and low-calorie food at a restaurant, it puts quite a restraint on eating out.

[Mamzelle]

I hope Florida is cleared--I hate for any American farming industry to take a hit.

Maybe they could can some of those 'maters--processing kills germs?

[Nachoman]

Home grown tomatoes rock!

[gardengirl]

There’s a huge Farmer’s market in Raleigh—3 hours away. They never really caught on here until recently, I guess cause everyone used to have a patch of garden at least. The one we have now does more flowers than anything.

[gardengirl]

We ate the first ripe tomato out of our bucket in the green house last week. YUMMY!
Pulled the last of the beets yest and I’m trying to put them up now. Got green beans just about ready to pick, and I need to dig taters. It was 102 in the shade today, yesterday’s heat index was 110. I’m waiting for it to cool off. Waiting.... Waiting.... Crickets chirping... :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

102 degrees for a few days would dry us all out nicely up here! :)

[MARTIAL MONK]

The incubation period – the time between ingestion of Salmonella bacteria and the onset of illness – varies from six to 72 hours

[FormerLib]

Migrant workers pooping in the fields again?

[o_zarkman44]

Once again our government is failing on delivering on the promises to inspect, intercept, and otherwise protect American citizens.

FEMA, immigration, USDA food inspections, Drug safety, airline safety inspections, and general law enforcement is all generally a failing grade..

When will we get tired of a government, incapable or unwilling to deliver on it’s promises it has assumed responsibility for??

[mewzilla]

Update....

New York State Tomatoes Contain Salmonella