Complain about a product or service

Tomatoes Get the All-Clear From FDA

Peppers now the prime suspects; more than 1,200 sickened

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 18, 2008

Food Safety • Salmonella Scare Prompts Dairy Recall • Most Consumers Lack Confidence In Food Safety, Survey Says • House Committee Unanimously Passes Food Safety Bill • Food Safety Bill Aired In House • House Committee Moves Forward On Food Safety Legislation • Illinois Meat Packer Recalls 95,898 Pounds Of Beef • Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to Salmonella • Food Safety Results Level Off • Sprouts Recalled Due To Possible Listeria • FDA Warns About Listeria in Salmon • Food Industry Accused of Big Tobacco's Bad Habits • FDA Closes Tortilla Plant • Surface Water May Be Source Of Salmonella • Key Senator Blasts FDA Over Food Safety > • FDA Rolls Out Food Safety Plan • Brits Get Treats, Yanks Get Tricks From Food Companies • Hartz Recalls Rawhide Chips After Possible Salmonella Contamination • Vermont Firm Recalls Possibly-Tainted Ground Beef • Beef Sent to Puerto Rico May Be Contaminated with E. coli • Technology Offers Revolution in Food Safety Testing • Chinese Gorillas Fall Ill as Melamine Scandal Widens • Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled in Salmonella Outbreak • CDC Gives "All Clear" On Salmonella Outbreak • One Death Reported in Oklahoma E. coli Outbreak • Feds Approve Irradiation of Spinach, Lettuce • FDA Issues Warning About Frozen Seafood • Whole Foods Extends Beef Recall • Whole Foods Recalls Fresh Ground Beef • Six New E. coli Cases Reported In Massachusetts --- • More ...

After weeks of unsuccessfully trying to trace the origin of an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it's okay for consumers to start eating tomatoes again.

The agency updated its warning, saying that after a lengthy investigation, it has determined that "fresh tomatoes now available in the domestic market are not associated with the current outbreak."

As a result, the agency has removed its June 7 warning against eating certain types of red raw tomatoes.

"As of today, FDA officials believe that consumers may enjoy all types of fresh tomatoes available on the domestic market," the FDA said in its update.

Previously, consumers were warned against eating raw red plum, raw red Roma, and raw red round tomatoes because of the belief they were associated with the outbreak. As the weeks went on, however, it became less clear that tomatoes were, in fact, the culprit.

Now, the suspicion is focused on raw jalapeño and raw serrano peppers now available in the domestic market. The FDA says they may be linked to illnesses in this outbreak, but an investigation is continuing to determine that. So far, there has been no conclusive evidence.

"At this time, people in high risk populations, such as elderly persons, infants and people with impaired immune systems, should avoid eating raw jalapeño and raw serrano peppers," the FDA said.

According to the CDC, 1,220 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

Meanwhile, tomato growers are not happy. Some industry leaders have expressed outrage that their crops were needlessly destroyed, costing millions in lost revenue. They've been calling members of Congress, and Congressional hearings have been set for the end of the month.

Symptoms of salmonella include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.

It can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.