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« Heat sending Providence students home early, too | Today | Too many turn out for RIPTA's free beach bus / Video » June 10, 2008Restaurants pull tomatoes; FDA investigates salmonellaMcDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell are among the restaurants and supermarkets that have pulled certain types of raw tomatoes from their menus while federal officials hunt for the source of a 17-state salmonella outbreak. The outbreak has been linked to certain red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that since mid-April, 167 people infected with salmonella with the same "genetic fingerprint" have been identified. At least 23 people have been hospitalized. The Food and Drug Administration is recommending that consumers not eat raw red Roma, raw red plum, raw red round tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes unless the tomatoes were grown in certain states or countries. The FDA says red Roma, red plum and round red tomatoes grown in the following states or countries were not associated with the outbreak: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands and Puerto Rico. If unsure of where tomatoes are grown or harvested, consumers are encouraged to contact the store where the tomatoes were bought. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home are not associated with the outbreak. More information, including an updated list of safe tomatoes, from the FDA's Web site. Read the AP's national story: Tomatoes pulled off shelves amid salmonella scare. -- With staff and Associated Press reports Salmonellosis is caused by the Salmonella bacteria and can be fatal in the most severe cases. It can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days and typically clears up on its own. But in infants, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems, the illness –– particularly severe diarrhea –– can require hospitalization. Posted by Jack Perry Commentsrickroyr | June 10, 2008 8:49 PM link Thank you for letting me know that tomatoes grown in my own garden are not affected.. I was so worried. Paul | June 11, 2008 7:05 AM link Paul, if you read the above reference about the salmonella bacteria you will note that it is carried by birds and animals as well as humans. Any outdoor garden (think pigeon droppings) is susceptible -- it's a crap shoot whether your tomatoes will be targeted, and of course bunnies and other little creatures love lettuce, YUM. Rickroyr, the same reference mentions that "Every year, approximately 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States." That's 238.5 a day, YIKES. Not a lot, though, in a country of 300 million. Bottom line, wash your own hands after you do duty, clean fresh fruits and vegetables prior to consumption, and when in doubt, boil. It's a crap shoot | June 11, 2008 10:37 AM link I've had severe cramps and diarrhea for two days. I did not have any of the tomatos noted in the article, but I did have an asian salad at a restaurant chain in warwick. Have there been any cases reported in RI recently? Bill | June 18, 2008 2:14 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
why did it take so long to find this out, after l67 people became sick?