Salmonella Saint Paul Tainted Tomatoes in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
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:
Arkansas
California
Georgia
Hawaii
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
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, 145 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 16 states: Arizona (12 persons), California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (17), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), New Mexico (39), Oklahoma (3), Oregon (2), Texas (56 persons), Utah (1), Virginia (2), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. Among the 73 persons who have been interviewed, illnesses began between April 16 and May 27, 2008. Patients range in age from 1 to 82 years; 49% are female. At least 23 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
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:Arkansas
California
Georgia
Hawaii
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
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, 145 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 16 states: Arizona (12 persons), California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (17), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), New Mexico (39), Oklahoma (3), Oregon (2), Texas (56 persons), Utah (1), Virginia (2), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3). These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. Among the 73 persons who have been interviewed, illnesses began between April 16 and May 27, 2008. Patients range in age from 1 to 82 years; 49% are female. At least 23 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
If this was happening back in mid-April, then why is the rest of the country just hearing about in June?
What's next?
Late last week I purchsed a box of SUNSET Romana Plum tomatoes from Costco and now developed diarrhea.
The carton is marked - "Distributed by - Mastronardi Product Ltd in Kingsville, Ontario, Canada. Is this safe to eat ? Please advise. Thank you.
I also bought tomatoes in california 9 days ago and have had diareaha for 6 days now. no one else in my haouse is sick........Laura
To CDC:
What is causing the infection of these varieties of tomatoes? What is the source of the Samonella species known as S.saint paul? Is it the seed, irrigation water, human packers, contaminated soil, packaging materials,insects, grubs,snails,animals or is the contamination simply air borne? Thanks,
Glen E. Huskey
I can not understand why they can't trace the origin of the contaminated tomatoes, don't the buyers of these tomatoes know where they bought them from and then go and check where the wholesaler got them from.And then track what country they came from. Amelia
It is extremely difficult to identify a source for these infections, considering their wide distribution of affected areas. Most wholesalers of produce composite their products from multiple sources and then allocate the supply according to demand. The origin of the contamination is not airborne at all; salmonella species are found in the guts of humans and animals and aid in digestion (in their native hosts). The original source of this contamination is most likely from water runoff from livestock yards nearby.
Ass far as testing the individual suppliers of tomatoes, I don't know what the regulations are for the USDA or FDA, but if the farmers are complying with testing and are providing evidence that their products are safe, then that would point even more strongly to the distributor as the source of the outbreak.
I hope this sheds a little more light on the subject. Don't forgot to wash any and all produce you purchase (including the pre-washed packages of salad mixes), even one where you do not eat the peels (bananas are the ONLY exception); even though you may not eat the outside, your hands are still touching the outside and may contaminate the parts you consume. Never prepare raw meats and uncooked produce on the same surfaces, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meats. Commercial produce washes are pretty much useless and a waste of money.
everything in our lives is now about big business profits before quality of life (and health!) ... how about a law banning business men from government; especially governing the areas that they were in business in?! also, they are public servants, they do a term and that's it, no pensions, etc- it is their privilege to serve. certainly ban lobbying, as that is not part of the will of the people or individual votes.
things are the way they are on purpose. nothing has to be the way it is. this entire world around us is created simply to keep us occupied- how about we find a better way keeping occupied?