At least 70 people nation wide has been affected by Tomatoes tainted with Salmonella. The outbreak began in late April in Texas and New Mexico and then spread to Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Utah and Arizona. At least 17 people have been hospitalized this far and the numbers are expected to rise. This has created the need for a Tomato Recall.
There has not been a recall yet of any affected tomatoes, however once the Food and Drug Administration identifies the specific grower of the bad tomatoes, officials will more than likely issue a tomato recall, said Kenneth Komatsu, state epidemiologist for the Arizona Department of Health Services. For the time being all residents in the states of Texas, Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Utah and Arizona are being told to cook all their tomatoes before eating them.
The following steps should also be taken to ensure ones safety:
• Do not eat raw Roma or red round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home, especially if you are at increased risk of infection – this group includes infants, elderly people and those with impaired immune systems.
• Avoid buying bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under cool, running water.
• Refrigerate within two hours cut, peeled or cooked tomatoes, otherwise discard.
• Separate raw tomatoes from raw meats, seafood and other raw produce.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching among food types.
• Cook tomatoes at 145 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds to kill salmonella.
• Wash hands often, especially after going to the restroom, before preparing or serving food, and after changing a diaper.
Most people infected with salmonella will get better on their own, but illness can last from 4-7 days and get severe. You should immediately goto the hospital if you have severe vomiting or dehydration. Death may occur in rare cases, and in the elderly.
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June 11th, 2008 7:53 am
It is a shame that all of us have to suffer for the inadequate abilities of others who do not want to take the proper time and proceedures to ensure thier own health. The fact that the numbers are so low and so scattered indicate a press/media that is ready to jump on anything in our lives.
How is it that the press would know about all these people out there, let alone those being hospitalized, whatever happened to patient privacy? I know that these reports come through the FDA but since these cases are so scattered, to persue it sounds like someone is wanting the FDA to chasing their tales.
As for having those of us in Colorado wash out tomatos before serving (which should be done anyway) we don’t have any tomatoes to wash.
The real end result of all of this is less product, higher prices and one hell of an inconvenience as the result of the a few people not taking proper precautions, being in a hurry, to feed themselves or their families. Stop cutting corners, do it right or eat out tonight.