Study Indicates Tomatoes Likely Cause of Salmonella Outbreak That Sickened More Than 280

AP ^ | July 20, 2004

[nuconvert]

Study Indicates Tomatoes Likely Cause of Salmonella Outbreak That Sickened More Than 280

Associated Press

July 23, 2004

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pennsylvania health authorities released results of a study Friday indicating that Roma tomatoes were the likely cause of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 280 people in five states. No tests have pinpointed the cause, but food histories of those who ate at Sheetz convenience stores and got sick - and those who ate there and didn't get sick - indicate that the tomatoes were the likely source, said Richard McGarvey, a spokesman for the state Health Department.

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that 289 people from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia have been sickened since July 2.

Hundreds of samples of tomatoes and lettuce from Sheetz have been tested. Only tests on an unopened bag of tomatoes were positive for salmonella, but not the strain responsible for the recent outbreak.

On Friday, state officials said they were testing additional food samples, but McGarvey cautioned that it would not be not unusual if the direct cause were not found.

"What oftentimes happens is that what's been contaminated is used up," McGarvey said.

Those who got sick ingested a strain of salmonella usually found on produce, and all those sickened in Pennsylvania bought sandwiches from one of at least 16 Sheetz stores, company officials have said.

"The results announced today reinforce that it is safe to eat at Sheetz," said Steve Sheetz, chairman of the Altoona-based company, in a statement Friday night. He added that the company removed the tomatoes before being asked to do so by the health department.

The supplier of the Roma tomatoes, Wheeling, W.Va.-based Coronet Foods, has said that tests turned up no contamination at its processing plant, but suspended purchasing and processing of the tomatoes.

The salmonella bacteria generally causes diarrhea, fever and cramps for up to three days. The bacteria are spread through the feces of infected animals and humans.

[AngrySpud]

*Sigh*

We've forgotten the hard lessons our mothers and grandmothers learned ... wash your fruits and vegetables.

[vetvetdoug]

Sheetz tomatoes contaminated with sh**. I couldn't make this up..

[Harris]

You eat at Sheetz you get the sheetz!

[OldFriend]

I had food poisoning a few years ago and believe me......I put every raw fruit or vegetable under the instant hot......every time. I even pour boiling water over the melons before I cut them. You only have to be ill once to never ever forget how sick you were.

And washing hands....a lot!

[vetvetdoug]

Wash your vegetables with a solution of a tablespoon of chlorox into a gallon of water. It will take care of the problem without cooking your food and do the job. To really disinfect your food with hot water you would have to get a temperature of 161 degrees for fifteen seconds or 140 degrees for thirty minutes.

[mamalujo]

No tests have pinpointed the cause,


Pennsylvania health authorities released results of a study Friday indicating that Roma tomatoes were the likely cause of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 280

hello?

[GeronL]

but food histories of those who ate at Sheetz convenience stores and got sick - and those who ate there and didn't get sick - indicate that the tomatoes were the likely source

Who eats at a convenience store??

And when did tomatoes get blood on their hands??

=o)

[longtermmemmory]

Some countries use human solid waste to fertilize. (not allowed in the USA but you have to wonder about imports.)