June 10 - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expanding its warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain raw red plum, raw red Roma, raw red round tomatoes, and products containing these tomatoes.
FDA recommends that consumers not eat these tomatoes unless they have been grown and harvested from states, countries, and territories that have NOT been associated with this outbreak. The list, which will be updated as more information becomes available, can be found at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers.
FDA also recommends that retailers, restaurants, and other food service operators not offer raw red Roma, raw red plum, and raw red round tomatoes unless they are from sources that have not been associated with the outbreak. If unsure of where tomatoes are grown or harvested, consumers are encouraged to contact the store where the tomato purchase was made.
The following types of tomatoes are NOT likely to be the source of this outbreak. Consumers should continue to eat
Since mid-April 2008, there have been at least 145 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul nationwide, including at least 23 hospitalizations. States reporting illnesses linked to the outbreak include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.