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This release was revised on June 8, 2008
to include Hawaii to the list of states not associated with
this outbreak.

FDA News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2008

Media Inquiries:
Kimberly Rawlings,
301-827-6253
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Warns Consumers Nationwide Not to Eat Certain Types of Raw Red
Tomatoes

The Food and Drug Administration is expanding its warning to consumers
nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of
certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and
products containing these raw, red tomatoes.

FDA recommends 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 are from the sources listed below. If
unsure of where tomatoes are grown or harvested, consumers are encouraged to
contact the store where the tomato purchase was made. Consumers should continue
to eat cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still
attached, or tomatoes grown at home.

On June 5, using traceback and other distribution pattern information, FDA
published a list of states, territories, and countries where tomatoes are grown
and harvested which have not been associated with this
outbreak. This updated list includes: Arkansas, California, Georgia,
Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada,
Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico. The list is
available at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers.
This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

FDA’s recommendation does not apply to the following tomatoes from any
source: cherry, grape, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached.

FDA recommends that retailers, restaurateurs, and food service operators not
offer for sale and service raw red Roma, raw red plum, and raw red round
tomatoes unless they are from the sources listed above. Cherry tomatoes, grape
tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, may continue to be
offered from any source.

Since mid April, there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis caused
by Salmonella Saintpaul nationwide, including at least 23
hospitalizations. States reporting illnesses linked to the outbreak include:
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Salmonella Saintpaul is an uncommon type of Salmonella.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections
particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened
immune systems. Healthy persons often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be
bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, the
organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses.
Consumers who have recently eaten raw tomatoes or foods containing raw tomatoes
and are experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their health care
provider. All Salmonella infections should be reported to state or
local health authorities.

FDA recognizes that the source of the contaminated tomatoes may be limited to
a single grower or packer or tomatoes from a specific geographic area. FDA also
recognizes that there are many tomato crops across the country and in foreign
countries that will be ready for harvest or will become ready in the coming
months. In order to ensure that consumers can continue to enjoy tomatoes that
are safe to eat, FDA is working diligently with the states, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and various food
industry trade associations to quickly determine the source of the tomatoes
associated with the outbreak.

FDA is taking these actions while the agency continues to investigate this
outbreak with state and federal partners. Such actions are a key component of
FDA’s Food
Protection Plan, a scientific and risk-based approach to strengthen and
protect the nation’s food supply.

FDA will continue to issue updates as more specific information becomes
available.

#

Information on safe handling of produce can be found at
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html

Tomato consumer page can be found at
www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

Updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found
at
www.cdc.gov/

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