Avoid Eating Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes

Avoid Eating Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes Please share this information as even McDonalds has stopped serving Tomatoes! Andy - andy@peoplespressnews.com - www.peoplespressnews.com. Department of Consumer Protection Warns Consumers to Temporarily Avoid Eating Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes Hartford, June 9 -- In response to the expanded Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning to consumers that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked to consumption of certain uncooked tomatoes and products containing these tomatoes, the Department of Consumer Protection is urging consumers to avoid eating any of the products that may be involved. The implicated products are uncooked (raw) red Roma, red plum, red round tomatoes, or products that contain these types of tomatoes, such as salsas, salads, and guacamole. However, all varieties of tomatoes from Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico can still be consumed. Home grown tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached are reported to be safe. “At least one illness related to this outbreak has been reported in Connecticut, so we are paying very close attention to the issue,” Farrell said. “Connecticut consumers need to take precautions, and should ask for the source of the tomatoes they are buying. If the tomatoes already at home can’t be tracked to their source from any label or packaging, it’s best to avoid eating them until more information becomes available. We continue to work closely with the FDA and our own State public health officials on this.” 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. Information on safe handling of produce can be found at http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/prodsafe.html Tomato consumer page can be found at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html Updates on the recall from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can be found at www.cdc.gov/