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Tomatoes may not be the source of Salmonella Outbreak

By Pritzker | Ruohonen

As the CDC reports that more than 800 people have become ill from Salmonella Saintpaul, federal health officials are questioning whether or not raw tomatoes are to blame.  Although the CDC states that raw red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes are the most likely source of the national outbreak, officials have not yet confirmed that the tomatoes are carrying the rare Salmonella strain.

According to the Los Angeles Times,

Of 1,700 domestic and international tomato samples collected so far, none has tested positive, said David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods with the Food and Drug Administration. Officials would not divulge if, or what, other produce was being seriously investigated, only saying that they would "continue to keep an open mind about the possible source."

The 810 cases span across 36 states and the District of Columbia, including at least 95 hospitalizations. Some of the tomatoes thought to have been linked to the outbreak were traced back to Florida and Mexico, but no concrete evidence was established because contamination could have occurred due to a variety of factors.

The Los Angeles Times also reports that “tomatoes that could be carrying the bacteria might still be entering the market because of large growing areas, long harvesting periods or unsanitary warehouse conditions, Acheson said.”

It seems that the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak may not yet be over, and consumers should continue to be wary of consuming raw tomatoes or whatever source is found to be the cause of this massive outbreak. 

Full post as published by Food Poisoning Law Blog on June 27, 2008 (boomark / email).