Had any good tomatoes lately?
News for Families & Consumers
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Martha Partridge Family & Consumer Science Agent Lincoln & Wilkes Counties

This is the time of year we usually enjoy tomatoes at my house but this year is a little different. Since we didn't plant as early as years gone by our harvest is yet to come. There aren't any tomatoes on the counter top waiting to ripen for now. And I cannot tell you how long it has been since I purchased tomatoes.

You no doubt have heard in the news about the ongoing nationwide Salmonellosis outbreak linked to tomatoes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created an outbreak website for this event: http:// www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/ tomatoes.html.

Since mid April, there have been 228 reported cases of salmonellosis nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul, an uncommon form of Salmonella. At least 25 hospitalizations have been reported.

The site is updated frequently and I suggest you re-visit it for current updates as they occur. There is an introduction, news updates, advice for retailers, restaurant and other food service operators, as well as consumer health information.

This is their current statement about affected tomatoes: The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella.

The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation. However, preliminary data suggests that raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw round red tomatoes are the cause. At this time, consumers should limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.

The FDA Update notice of June 12, 2008 now says: Types of tomatoes not linked to any illnesses are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes with the vine still attached.

Georgia is still on the states producing tomatoes not associated with the source of the outbreak. The list has changed again and you can view it here: http://www.fda.gov/oc/ opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html. Certain counties in Florida have now been released and placed on this list, although conditions about proof of origin are required for operations and stores carrying these tomatoes.

Some frequently asked questions have emerged with the Salmonella problem. Hopefully repeating a few of these questions with the correct answers will be helpful. If you have other questions call the county extension office in your county for additional information.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a type of bacterium. Fruits and vegetables that come into contact with Salmonella may become contaminated with it, causing illness if eaten. Salmonella lives in the intestinal tracts of some animals, and can live in soil and water for months. Once Salmonella has contaminated something, it can be spread from surface to surface. A tomato contaminated with Salmonella can spread the bacterium to the hands of a person who cuts the tomato and to the cutting board on which the tomato is sliced, for example.

Will washing the tomatoes identified in this outbreak make them safe to eat?

Consumers are advised not to try to wash raw red plum, red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes that are implicated in the outbreak. Consumers should throw these tomatoes out. Salmonella is very hard to wash off.

Can cooking tomatoes eliminate Salmonella?

Consumers should not attempt to cook the tomatoes involved in this outbreak in an effort to kill Salmonella. Handling tomatoes contaminated with Salmonella can spread the bacterium to anything the handler touches, including hands, kitchen utensils, cutting boards, sinks, and other foods. Cooking tomatoes in the home will not ensure that Salmonella is eliminated.

Are canned tomatoes and processed foods containing tomatoes safe for consumers during this outbreak?

Consumers may continue to buy and eat canned (that is, processed) red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes and canned or bottled foods containing these or other types of tomatoes if they were processed by a commercial food-processing facility. A few examples are the canned tomatoes and canned or bottled tomato juice and spaghetti sauce found in grocery stores.