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Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses.
Preliminary Data
The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation. However, preliminary data suggest that raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes are the cause.
From April 23 though June 1, 2008, there have been 57 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul in New Mexico and Texas, including 17 hospitalizations. Approximately 30 reports of illness in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Utah are currently being investigated to determine whether they are also linked to tomatoes. There are no reported deaths.
Advice for Consumers
Investigation Continues
FDA recognizes that the source of the contaminated tomatoes may be limited to a single grower or packer or tomatoes from a specific geographic area. FDA also recognizes that there are many tomato crops across the country and in foreign countries that are just becoming ready for harvest or will become ready in the coming months.
To ensure that consumers can continue to enjoy tomatoes that are safe to eat, FDA is working diligently with the states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and various food industry trade associations to quickly determine the source and type of the contaminated tomatoes. As more information becomes available, FDA will update this warning.
For More Information
Red Tomato Warning Expanded Nationwide
www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/tomatoewarning061008.html
FDA Press Release
www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01843.html
FDA's Tomato Consumer Page
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html
I don't understand how tomatoes can carry salmonella. Can anyone e-mail me and let me know? Were the tomatoes not washed properly--but then they wouldn't quit selling them, just tell people to wash them better. What am I missing here? Fields are often fertilized with manure, but the plant breaks it down when it absorbs the nutrients, so it cannot absorb it into the fruit. I'd really like to know how this happens, since we may have to watch other fruits/veggies in the future.