Tag Archives: Tomatoes

Tomatoes continue to disappear from retail …

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The Los Angeles Times reports that fast-food chains Taco Bell Corp. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. have, in addition to McDonald’s and others, stopped serving certain tomatoes. Same with supermarket chains Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons, which stopped selling red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes cited by the FDA.

Elizabeth Weise of USA Today reported this morning that simply washing tomatoes can help, but it won’t necessarily remove the salmonella bacteria, because when tomatoes are picked on very hot days and put into cold water to chill, salmonella on their surface can be drawn up into the fruit.

David Acheson, director of the FDA’s Food Safety and Security Staff, said that doesn’t mean the public should stop washing produce, adding, "If there is surface contamination, washing is going to help remove it."

Below is a  photo from the Tampa Tribune of a Burger King at Kennedy and West Shore boulevards, indicateing it’s not serving tomatoes.



McDonald’s, U.S. retailers pull some tomatoes

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McDonald’ s Corp. said Monday it has temporarily pulled tomatoes from its sandwiches in the United States, a precautionary move in the wake of a salmonella outbreak that has sicken at least 145 in 16 states.

McDonald’s spokesman Bill Whitman was cited as saying the company has not detected salmonella bacteria in any of its tomato supplies, "but with an abundance of caution, we want to make sure our food items containing tomatoes are absolutely safe." McDonald’s said it will continue to serve grape tomatoes in its premium salads.

Winn Dixie in Florida announced they have pulled tomatoes off the shelves, will destroy the tomatoes in stock, and are asking their customers to not eat them. Giant Eagle Supermarkets of Pennsylvania has also pulled a variety of green, yellow, Roma and organic tomatoes off the shelf as a precaution.

The Tampa Tribune reports that trucks of Florida-grown tomatoes were being turned away by retailers Monday. Florida is not on the list of safe tomato-producing states – those not linked to the outbreak – nonetheless, state agriculture officials say Florida-grown tomatoes are safe to eat and are awaiting clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Liz Compton, spokeswoman for the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said,

"We know Florida’s tomatoes are OK. The problem is, they haven’t officially cleared us yet, and we are having trucks turned away. … What we know is that the tomatoes that we’re shipping now were not being harvested at the time in question."

Tampa-based Sweetbay Supermarkets and Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets have pulled all of the suspect tomatoes from their shelves.

McDonald’s Canada pulls tomatoes from menu

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McDonald’s fast-food outlets in Canada have temporarily removed tomatoes from their menu options, after news south of the border that salmonella food poisoning first linked to uncooked tomatoes has spread to 16 U.S. states.

McDonald’s said in a letter to consumers that it has not experienced any problems to date but consider the move a “precautionary measure."

Below is a news clip from a New Mexico television station about what local restaurants are doing in the wake of 145 sick people in 16 states, and a national advisory from the Food and Drug Administration not to eat certain types of fresh tomatoes.

Salmonella in tomatoes toll reaches 145 in 16 states; FDA issues national advisory

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The U.S. 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, 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 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.

As I’ve said, food safety for fresh produce begins on the farm and goes right through to the fork.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most significant sources of
foodborne illness today in the United States, and because fresh produce is
not cooked, anything that comes into contact is a possible source of contamination.

Wash water, irrigation water, manure in soil, even contact with animals or humans, can introduce dangerous microorganisms onto fresh produce. There is evidence that bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli can enter fruit like tomatoes and cantaloupes, and leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce, making removal extremely difficult.

The farm is the first line of defense.  Whether your produce comes from around the corner or around the globe, contamination must be prevented on the farm.

A brief review of pathogens in produce is available at:
http://tinyurl.com/6ypdad

A table of tomato-related North American outbreaks is available at:
http://tinyurl.com/6oqv67

A table of known outbreaks of verotoxigenic E. coli — including but not
limited to E. coli O157:H7 — associated with fresh spinach and lettuce
is available at: http://tinyurl.com/586azl

Salmonella Symptoms

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Someone came to the blog this morning searching “Salmonella Saintpaul flatulence” inspiring this post. As of last night 138 people in 11 states were sick from Salmonella in tomatoes.

According to http://www.about-salmonella.com/salmonella_symptoms_risks, Salmonella can cause gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, and bacteremia. The following are symptoms of Salmonella gastroenteritis:

  • diarrhea
  • abdominal cramps
  • fever, generally 100°F to 102°F (38°C to 39°C)
  • nausea, and/or
  • vomiting

In mild cases diarrhea may be non-bloody, occur several times per day, and not be very voluminous; in severe cases it may be frequent, bloody and/or mucoid, and of high volume. Vomiting is less common than diarrhea.

Other frequently reported symptoms are

  • headaches
  • muscle pain, and
  • joint pain

Whereas the diarrhea typically lasts 24 to 72 hours, patients often report fatigue and other nonspecific symptoms lasting 7 days or longer.

The FDA has a thorough analysis of Salmonella in their Bad Bug Book.

If you are concerned that you have food poisoning, you should contact your local health unit or Seattle law firm Marler-Clark that specializes in foodborne illness litigation.

Salmonella in tomato toll rises to 138; E. coli in lettuce outbreak appears over

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The Dallas Morning News reports that Texas and New Mexico now claim 104 of the 138 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul related to tomatoes in 11 U.S. States. At least 19 people from the two states have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said that tomatoes grown in Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina appear to be blameless. Those imported from Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, the Netherlands and Puerto Rico also did not appear to be the source.

The FDA said preliminary investigations suggest that raw red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes are the source of the problem.

Meanwhile, the Washington Health Department said an E. coli outbreak that sickened at least nine people in Pierce and Thurston counties is apparently over and that there have been no new cases since May 29.

A spokesman, Donn Moyer, said the infection apparently came from romaine lettuce that was served at schools or restaurants. Moyer says health officials haven’t been able to identify the source for sure, although the Food and Drug Administration is still investigating.

Scene and heard: salmonella in tomatoes

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A total of 11 states, which now include Wisconsin, Virginia and Kansas, have confirmed 112 cases of Salmonella Saintpaul and of those cases, 83 were reported in Texas and New Mexico.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said preliminary investigations suggest that raw red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes are to blame.

The agency advised residents of Texas and New Mexico to only eat tomatoes that haven’t been connected to the outbreak, including homegrown, cherry and grape tomatoes as well as those sold attached to the vine.

They also reminded consumers that fresh salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo and other products may contain raw tomatoes.

Albertsons has joined Kroger and Central Market in pulling tomatoes from its shelves.

New Mexico Environment Secretary Ron Curry said Thursday in a statement,

"The department’s food program bureau is contacting distributors of tomatoes to ensure they notify food establishments to stop serving tomatoes suspected in making people sick."

KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi, Texas, conducted a random phone survey Wednesday afternoon, and found tomatoes are temporarily not on the menu at Subway, La Playa, Olive Garden, Water Street Restaurants, and Schlotzky’s.

However, tomatoes are still being served at TGI Friday’s, Fuddrucker’s, Katz 21, Nolan’s Poorboys, McDonald’s, Mimi’s by the Sea, Whataburger, and Wallbangers.

Reuters reported that even pork bellies are feeling the pressure, as prices fell $4 to $15 per hundredweight in the cash markets on Thursday. The bacon for BLT sandwiches is sliced from pork bellies.

Heard and said: salmonella in tomatoes

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Following the June 3 announcements by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration about the latest Salmonella outbreak related to tomatoes, at least two retailers, San Antonio-based H.E. Butt Grocery Co., and Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. pulled round red and Roma tomatoes off the shelves in Texas locations.

The Houston Chronicle interviewed several shoppers.

Anthony Castillo, who was among shoppers at a Randalls at 3131 W. Holcombe, said,

"This kind of freaks me out. I think I’ll be going sans tomatoes for a while."

Shopper Rachell Cobb-Valion said,,

"They are always telling you to eat more fruits and vegetables, but you can get as much poisoning from them as when you eat meat."

Tomato lover Bobby Kimble said,

"It doesn’t bother me at all. Nothing ever bothers me. If it goes in my stomach, it’s gone."

Salmonella spreads in States; large and Roma tomatoes implicated

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has just issued a statement about the ongoing outbreak of Salmonella St. Paul

"An epidemiologic investigation conducted by the New Mexico and Texas Departments of Health and the Indian Health Service using interviews comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has identified consumption of raw tomatoes as the likely source of the illnesses in New Mexico and Texas. The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation; however, preliminary data suggest that large tomatoes, including Roma and red round are the source.

Since late April, 40 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul with the same genetic fingerprint have been identified in Texas (21 persons) and New Mexico (19 persons). The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating 17 additional Salmonella Saintpaul illnesses. These were identified because clinical laboratories in all states send Salmonella strains from ill persons to their State public health laboratory for characterization. Among the 38 persons who have been interviewed, illnesses began between April 23 and May 27, 2008. Patients range in age from 3 to 82 years; 48% are female. At least 17 persons were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported."

Advice to consumers
In New Mexico and Texas, until the source of the implicated tomatoes is determined,

    persons with increased risk of severe infection, including infants, elderly persons, and those with     impaired immune systems, should not eat raw Roma or red round tomatoes other than those sold     attached to the vine or grown at home, and
    persons who want to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection can avoid consuming raw Roma or     red round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home.

 • Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.
You can check the CDC and FDA websites for updates on this investigation and changes in recommendations.

A table of tomato-related North American outbreaks is available at
http://www.foodsafety.ksu.edu/en/article-details.php?a=3&c=32&sc=419&id=953.

Tomatoes are one type of fresh produce where it appears pathogens like Salmonella can be internalized, which means washing is of little use. The problems need to be prevented on the farm. Regulators and the industry in the past have released food safety guidelines for tomatoes, but there is a lack of verification; it is unclear if all growers are actually following the guidelines.

Guidelines are a first step, but more creative ways are required to compel everyone, from the person harvesting to the person distributing, to take food safety seriously, even in the absence of an outbreak.

Fresh tomatoes sicken 30 with Salmonella in New Mexico

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Health officials have announced that those cases of Salmonella St. Paul that have been popping up in New Mexico for the past three weeks have been linked to fresh tomatoes.

Dr. Mike Landen, deputy state epidemiologist with the Department of Health, said,

"We have alerted physicians and hospitals around the state to be on the lookout for people presenting with fever and diarrhea and to test those people for salmonella. We are asking the public to take general precautions to avoid being exposed to salmonella and to seek health care if they develop a severe illness with fever and diarrhea."

The department says some of the infected tomatoes were bought from a Wal-Mart in Las Cruces or Farmington, a Lowe’s in Las Cruces or Bashas’ in Crownpoint. But they say other stores are probably selling the tomatoes too.
Health officials are still trying to pinpoint which tomatoes are carrying the bacteria.

A table of tomato-related North American outbreaks is available at
http://www.foodsafety.ksu.edu/en/article-details.php?a=3&c=32&sc=419&id=953

Tomatoes are one type of fresh produce where it appears pathogens like Salmonella can be internalized, which means washing is of little use. The problems need to be prevented on the farm. Regulators and the industry in the past have have released food safety guidelines for tomatoes, but there is a lack of verification; it is unclear if all growers are actually following the guidelines.

Guidelines are a first step, but we need more creative ways to compel everyone, from the person harvesting to the person distributing, to take food safety seriously, even in the absence of an outbreak. Here are some references for the work we’ve done.

Luedtke, A., Chapman, B. and Powell, D.A. 2003. Implementation and analysis of an on-farm food safety program for the production of greenhouse vegetables. Journal of Food Protection. 66:485-489.

Powell, D.A., Bobadilla-Ruiz, M., Whitfield, A. Griffiths, M.G.. and Luedtke, A. 2002. Development, implementation and analysis of an on-farm food safety program for the production of greenhouse vegetables in Ontario, Canada. Journal of Food Protection. 65: 918- 923.

We also published a book chapter entitled Implementing On-Farm Food Safety Programs in Fruit and Vegetable Cultivation, in the recently published, Improving the Safety of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.