Tomato

Subject: Raw Red Tomato Salmonella Warning

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers nationwide that a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis has been linked to the consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes, and products containing these raw, red tomatoes. Since mid April there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul nationwide, including at least 23 hospitalizations. States reporting illness linked to the outbreak include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

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 following sources which have not been involved with this outbreak: Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico.

FDA’s recommendation does not apply to the following tomatoes from any source: cherry, grape, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached. Please refer to the attached FDA news release for additional information.

The Department of Consumer Protection Food and Standards Division is aware of the FDA warning and is planning to issue a press release and can be reached at (860) 713-6160 for questions or concerns about the product. Refer any cases of reported foodborne illness to their physicians for appropriate evaluation and testing, and forward a completed copy of the Foodborne Illness Complaint Form, as warranted.

You are urged to share this information with the food service and retail food establishments in your jurisdiction.