A nationwide salmonella outbreak prompted the Food and Drug Administration to issue a news release that warns consumers not to eat certain types of red tomatoes.
According to the release, since mid-April, 145 cases of salmonella poisoning have been reported in 16 states.
Consumers are urged not to eat red plum, red Roma, red round tomatoes, or any products that might contain them. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached are safe to eat. Tomatoes that are home-grown are also safe to eat.
Salmonella poisoning can be fatal. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
The news release stated that the outbreak may be from a single source. The FDA is working with various organizations to determine the source of the outbreak.
June 10, 2008 Update:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has added Ohio to a list of states that are not associated with the latest food safety alert for certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes, due to an outbreak of salmonellosis.
Ohio is ranked fifth nationally in tomato production.
July 17, 2008 Update:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lifted its warning about tomatoes but left in place a warning about jalapeño and serrano peppers, which it said could pose a risk to elderly people or people with compromised immune systems.
The source of the outbreak of salmonella still isn't known, but the FDA said the epidemic is "waning."
