Posted on 06/15/2008 7:48:41 AM PDT by kellynla
A several-month-old outbreak of food poisoning linked to a bacterium called Salmonella Saintpaul in raw tomatoes is affecting consumers nationwide. Almost 200 cases of illness have been reported in 16 states in the West, Midwest and Northeast. Many restaurants and supermarkets across the country have pulled fresh tomatoes from their menus and produce aisles.
Tenders of tomatoes and savorers of salads are suffering, to be sure, but this is also the organic-food industry's worst nightmare: The surest ways to prevent such outbreaks are "Frankenfood" and irradiation, both anathema to obsessive organickers and other food-kooks.
Government estimates tell us food contaminated with microorganisms causes 76 million cases of illness - marked by fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps - and 5,000 deaths a year in the United States. The most frequent culprits: the bacteria Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli 0157:H7; and caliciviruses, also known as the Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses.
Tomato-borne gastrointestinal illnesses are nothing new. A search for "Salmonella tomatoes" on the Web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yields 280 hits, all predating the current outbreak. As is the case for many fruits and vegetables eaten raw, tomatoes harbor many potential pathogens, including various strains of Salmonella. In 2006, two high-profile outbreaks of E. coli-related illnesses traced to spinach and lettuce, respectively, received wide publicity. The casualties: three deaths and about 300 illnesses nationwide.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
“killer tomatoes”
Wasn’t there a movie about that very thing?
“Wasn’t there a movie about that very thing?”
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080391/
how in the hell did saint paul end up in a tomato?
I am surprised there is not a margin of acceptable risk with food to the extent of the acceptable risk of taking pharmaceuticals. with all the crates of food coming in fron China and wherever, our only hope for safe food rests with the American farmer, who is rapidly being replaced.
The trailer for the movie was hysterical.
Its the kind of movie you keep around for those rainy Saturday afternoons when ever kid in the neighbor hood is at your house “just hanging”.
Make some popcorn and have fun.
“how in the hell did saint paul end up in a tomato?”
Well,,, see,,, first he was in a bit of a pickle. Then things got worse
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
I am a washed up singer from the ‘60’s
Reduced to singing in Spanish
I am a washed up singer from the ‘60’s
Reduced to singing in Spanish
No one remembers the Weavers
During the age of the Cleavers.
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
When signing with Peter, Paul, and Mary
We would puff the magic dragon
When signing with Peter, Paul, and Mary
We would puff the magic dragon
Joan Baez, Arlo and Willie Guthrie
Are now just as obscure as me.
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
My politics are so far out in left field
And plagiarism’s the basis of all culture
My politics are so far out in left field
And plagiarism’s the basis of all culture
And thinking back to Winston Churchill
I’m over 20 and have no brain.
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
One Ton Tomato, go eat a One Ton Tomato
That was NOT the most important thing for the CDC to do, then.
The most important thing to do was to stop air travel between mainland China and US airports for a few weeks until the situation was a little better understood.
Just as now - the most important thing is to stop ag imports from Mexico. In a few weeks, we'll understand this better, and nobody else needs to suffer while we figure it out.
“Well,,, see,,, first he was in a bit of a pickle.”
He didn’t relish it either.
This year's crop is so big and delicious, we are freezing some for future needs.
I admit I never gave thought to tomatoes until they were taken off the shelves!
Better yet, dunk them in scalding water and remove the peel (which then comes off easily) and any bacteria that survive the scalding water go off with the peel anyway.
He just stewed about it! Then he got really steamed!
The FDA has cleared imports from at least six countries ? but not Mexico, which sends 80 percent of its tomato exports to the United States. Florida tomatoes are also under suspicion.
“The FDA has cleared imports from at least six countries ? but not Mexico, which sends 80 percent of its tomato exports to the United States. Florida tomatoes are also under suspicion.”
The Florida tomatoes have recently been cleared. Looks like it is tomatoes from Mexico. So glad I raise my own tomatoes here in FL! :)
Thanks for the link.
IN ENGLISH: READY TO EAT.
LOL.
Guess the folks in Mexico City better be “buyer beware”.
= = =
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5833471.html
Ours are burning out (up) and our friend’s, who’s garden we were tending, have returned home.
They better hurry up and find something! LOL
I’ve been buying tomatoes “on the vine” from Aldi’s. CHEAP and USA!!
Makes you wonder eh?
We’re not to the “buying” point yet, but wife has a few more local connections she will hit before we have to take to the stores.
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