Kind of a 'burgh thing.
Posted on 07/19/2004 2:13:42 PM PDT by Petronski
Agriculture Dept: Tomatoes Source of Salmonella
Jul 19, 2004 3:45 pm US/Eastern
Pittsburgh (KDKA/AP)
Health officials now know the source of a salmonella outbreak that sickened over 100 people in Pennsylvania.
Tests show that Roma tomatoes distributed to area Sheetz stores from the Wheeling-based Coronet Foods were contaminated.
Last week health officials said they thought tainted produce brought into the stores -- most likely lettuce or tomatoes -- was to blame for the outbreak.
"This test result brings us one step closer to understanding this outbreak... Government agencies can now begin the process of finding out how the tomatoes became infected." -- Joel Hersh, Director of Epidemiology - PA Department of Health
As of today, state health spokesman Richard McGarvey says the number of people sickened in Pennsylvania has climbed to 110.
Sheetz chairman Stephen Sheetz said the tests were "good news" for the Altoona-based company, which pulled all tomatoes and lettuce in its 300-plus stores in six states - Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The stores sanitized their deli areas, switched suppliers and brought in new produce.
Company officials had not tallied how much its efforts to stem the bacteria cost or business the company has lost, Sheetz said. People have been buying less food from Sheetz stores, especially in western Pennsylvania where the outbreak was first reported, he said.
"We never looked at the cost. That is something we will tally at the end of the deal. Our job is to make sure the employees and customers are safe and to do the right thing," Sheetz said.
According to Sheetz officials, those sickened in Pennsylvania got sandwiches from at least 16 stores in the Pittsburgh area and along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
State agriculture officials say they still plan to test about 200 samples of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and mayonnaise taken from 10 Pennsylvania stores to be certain of the cause, according to state agriculture spokeswoman Kristina Watson.
Salmonellosis, an infection caused by salmonella bacteria that can contaminate food or water, generally causes diarrhea, fever and cramps for up to three days. It is not often fatal. The bacteria are spread through the feces of infected animals and humans.
Maybe I didn't read close enough, but I couldn't see where the tomatoes came from. My initial thought is Mexico, but I could be wrong....
Kind of a 'burgh thing.
The tomatoes came from a grower/producer/wholesaler in Wheeling WV.
A Message From Steve Sheetz to Sheetz Customers Concerning Recent Food Illnesses Linked to Our Stores
We've built this business with TCF - Total Customer Focus. We've listened to what our customers have told us they needed and we've always been determined to meet those needs and be there for you.
I say "we've" built the business, in reality, it's been you, our customers, who have built this business. One by one, you put your trust in Sheetz. You've told your friends and family about Sheetz and these people too came to put their trust in Sheetz. We have a deep appreciation for your business and we will never betray your trust.
I've always believed there is an unwritten contract between Sheetz and our customers where you have our word that we will do the right thing. Since learning about the reported cases of salmonella, we have been dedicating all resources necessary to resolve the issue quickly, completely and comprehensively. Our focus, our absolute number one priority, is on ensuring your safety and well-being and continuing to honor our contract with you.
We are working closely with the Department of Health to identify what the problem was. While there are still no definitive answers, it appears the contaminant came from an external supplier. Officials have reported that there is no link whatsoever to improper food handling or food safety practices by Sheetz employees. Given the quality of our employees, and the stringent food safety policies we have in place, this was no surprise to me.
As the situation has unfolded, the Department of Health has been complimentary of the assistance we have provided. We will work to continue to meet - and exceed - their expectations - and yours.
Feel free to call our 24-hour call center at 1-800-765-4686 at any time if you have any concerns.
On behalf of the entire Sheetz family, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this situation.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Steve Sheetz
Chairman
Tomatoes blamed for salmonella outbreak that sickens at least 110 people
MIKE CRISSEY, Associated Press Writer
Monday, July 19, 2004
(07-19) 11:04 PDT PITTSBURGH (AP) --
A salmonella outbreak among at least 110 people who ate deli sandwiches from a convenience store chain has been traced to contaminated tomatoes, officials said Monday.
The tomatoes were supplied to the Sheetz stores by Coronet Foods of Wheeling, W.Va.
Sheetz, based in Altoona, pulled all tomatoes and lettuce from its 300-plus stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina after the salmonella cases were first reported last week. The stores sanitized their deli areas, switched suppliers and brought in new produce.
An unopened bag of tomatoes from a Sheetz store in Greencastle, about 60 miles southwest of Harrisburg, tested positive for the bacteria, officials said.
"This test result brings us one step closer to understanding this outbreak," said Joel Hersh, director of epidemiology at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. "Government agencies can now begin the process of finding out how the tomatoes became infected."
Coronet officials did not immediately return a call.
The Food and Drug Administration said at least 57 people in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia who ate at Sheetz convenience stores were sickened as of last week. State health officials said Monday that 110 people were sickened in Pennsylvania alone.
Salmonella bacteria in food or water generally causes diarrhea, fever and cramps for up to three days. It is not often fatal. The bacteria are spread through the feces of infected animals and humans.
A Pennsylvania couple who suffered flu-like symptoms have sued Coronet.
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Well, ain't that the Sheetz.
Sheetz is a good outfit. I'm glad to see they've been cleared.
I agree, they are a class act. I helped install their first AutoCAD platform and plotter about thirteen years ago.
Steve Sheetz has been the head of the convenience store association. They have the best stores I've ever seen.
Yeah-- thank God it didn't come from the bacteria infested touch-screen order computers.
If the outbreak came just from the deli sandwiches, I wonder if a secondary cause is that the convenience store didn't wash the tomatoes prior to making the sandwiches?
I take it a lot of people got the Sheetz! ;-)
They also have a blown-up photo of a coffee bean with the caption "I'm hot! You know you want me."
Quit picking on the migrant labor force. They are doing the jobs that Americans won't, like taking a dump in the fields they are picking!
So---Someone on Free Republic who has a health background, please explain to all of us what the source of the salmonella is. Did it come from unclean display areas/ From contaminated papers in the display? Or does it come from the fields at the source of the tomatoes themselves? If it comes from the fields, doesn't that say that the pickers are not using the Andy Gump's they are supposed to be provided with? Did these tomatoes come from outside the USA? I can imagine anything from outside the USA could have a wide distribution. I usually buy Roma type tomatoes because they stay firmer in salads, etc. Need more info, please.
Although I'm not a public health expert by any means, there have been problems with fruits and veggies from Mexico where, shall I say, certain growers use sheetz for fertilizer or use sheetzy water in the irrigation system.
Now THAT was funny!
BTW, my fresh salsa recipe requires grill charring the outside of the roma tomatoes we use. It adds flavor and ensures that nothing is living on the outside of the tomato.
/john
Everytime this happens though, a public outbreak of food poisoning or disease like last year's hepatitis, it makes another case for irradiation.
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