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Most regional tomatoes are cleared by the FDA

By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently added Ohio to a list of states that are not associated with the latest food safety alert for certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes, due to an outbreak of salmonellosis.
Ohio Ag Director Robert Boggs informed consumers that Ohio-grown tomatoes are safe for consumption.
“The FDA has cleared Ohio tomatoes as part of their investigation, allowing consumers to buy with confidence,” he said. “Ohio is ranked fifth nationally in tomato production, and I’m glad that our producers won’t feel the economic affects of this nationwide food safety alert.”
Other regional states not included in the list of areas not associated with the outbreak include Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan. As of press time, Indiana and Illinois were not included in USDA’s listing of states not associated with the outbreak.
“I am pleased that the FDA has cleared Kentucky from any involvement in the outbreak,” Kentucky Ag Commissioner Richie Farmer said.
“Consumers can serve Kentucky Proud tomatoes to their families with the confidence that those tomatoes have been raised with the greatest care.”
The FDA has expanded its list of places not linked to the salmonella outbreak to 35 states, part of Florida, Puerto Rico and six foreign countries.
According to the FDA, 228 cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul have been reported since mid-April. At least 25 hospitalizations have been reported.
Currently, there are two Salmonella cases in Michigan believed to be associated with this outbreak, though the cases are thought to be from tomatoes not grown in the state - a 46-year-old male in Kent County and a 29-year-old female in Washtenaw County. Both residents are recovering and neither was hospitalized.
“MDA is working in close cooperation with its federal food safety partners to advise Michigan’s food industry and consumers to take necessary precautions regarding certain fresh tomatoes,” said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agirculture. “We are committed to ensuring that the food Michigan consumers are eating - whether at home or when dining out - is safe.”
The FDA recommends that consumers not eat raw red Roma, raw red Plum, raw Round red tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes unless the tomatoes are from sources not associated with this outbreak. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes with the vine still attached have not been associated with the outbreak.
Consumers unsure of where the tomatoes are from that they have in their home are encouraged to contact the store of place of purchase for that information. If you are unable to determine the source of the tomatoes, they should not be eaten.
Other products containing raw tomatoes, such as fresh salsa, guacamole and pico de gallo should also be avoided if the source of the tomatoes cannot be determined.
Tomatoes are also commonly used as fillings for tortillas as well as in a variety of other dishes.
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 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.
Early last week Commissioner Farmer and other southern state agriculture commissioners called on the FDA to reform its procedures for addressing a disease outbreak and seek help from states to pinpoint the source of the outbreak. They complained the FDA’s statements had made it impossible for their growers to sell good tomatoes that are not affected by the outbreak.
FDA will continue to issue updates as more specific information becomes available. A complete list of states, territories, or countries not associated with this outbreak is online at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers

6/18/2008