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Salmonella Outbreak Linked To Restaurant Tomatoes

Tomatoes Sold in Stores Probably Not Affected, Feds Find

November 6, 2006

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It's probably safe to eat those tomatoes in your vegetable compartment. The Food and Drug Administration says an investigation has found that tainted tomatoes served in restaurants caused a recent salmonella outbreak.

To date, 21 states have reported 183 cases of tomato-linked illnesses to the Ccenters for Disease Control (CDC).

Based on information currently available from the CDC, the investigation shows a peak in cases of illness in late September. CDC scientists say this suggests that the outbreak is not ongoing.

The agency believes that the tomatoes that caused the illnesses have at this point been consumed, destroyed or thrown out because they are perishable. Therefore, FDA said it does not believe a consumer warning about tomatoes on store shelves is warranted at this time.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy persons often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses.

FDA has initiated a traceback of these tomatoes, trying to identify the source of contamination. In particular, FDA said it is working closely with the states of Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, since groups of illnesses were specifically reported in these states.

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