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.

The FDA says that if you are unsure of where tomatoes are grown or harvested, you 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.

Since mid April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there were 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.

In reaction to this outbreak, McDonald's, Burger King, Outback Steakhouse and Taco Bell are among restaurants taking tomatoes off their menus. Wal-Mart, Kroger, and Winn-Dixie have pulled certain kinds of tomatoes from their shelves.

The Food and Drug Administration says it's working "hard and fast" to trace the source of the outbreak. Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps that typically last four to seven days.

The FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the following areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• New York
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• West Virginia
• Belgium
• Canada
• Dominican Republic
• Guatemala
• Israel
• Netherlands
• Puerto Rico

Related Links:

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

Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes

Tomato Recall; Hawaii-Grown Tomatoes OK

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