Tomato Salmonella update
The FDA has recently identified three red tomato varieties (raw red Roma, raw red plum and raw red round) as the probable source of recent salmonellosis outbreaks throughout the United States. Although the FDA has identified California grown and harvested tomatoes as unaffected by the outbreak, California has reported some of the 145 total illnesses nationwide which have been attributed to salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul (an uncommon strain of salmonella) since mid-April.
According to the FDA, tomatoes sold with the vine attached, tomatoes grown in greenhouses, and cherry and grape tomatoes, regardless of their area of origin, have not been linked to this outbreak.
As restaurant chains across the nation pull tomatoes from their kitchens, the FDA continues to work with the states, the Centers for Disease Control and various other pertinent organizations to specifically identify the source of the outbreak. The CRA will continue to monitor this situation as it develops. Please also visit the FDA Web site for continued updated information on this issue as it becomes available.
