FDA Updates Tomato Recall

The FDA has issued an updated warning advising consumers not to eat raw red tomatoes, raw red plum tomatoes, or raw red Roma tomatoes as these types may be responsible for the current outbreak of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul. According to the CDC, if infected, the symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps lasting from 4 to 7 days.

Most healthy people will recover on their own, but occasionally symptoms may be so severe that hospitalization is required. The most severe cases can result in the infection spreading to the bloodstream and internal organs. If this happens, patients can die unless immediately treated with antibiotics. Although rare, these complications are most often found in infants, the elderly and others with compromised immune systems. For the latest updates, check www.fda.gov.

Although the FDA says cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and those tomatoes sold with the vine still attached seem to be safe this time, we've seen produce of several different kinds from multiple large farms cause similar outbreaks over and over in the last few years. In these days of giant corporate farms and regional processing plants, a single source can cause nationwide consequences. Now more than ever, it is time to think again about growing your own fresh vegetables.

A small garden in the backyard can provide a safe alternative source of tomatoes and other fresh vegetables. With today's riding prices and fuel surcharges, a family garden is also a good way to save some money. We've been growing as many of our own vegetables for about three years now, partly because of the repeated lapses in the safety practices of store-bought produce suppliers. We've also found that working together in the garden is a great family activity and it's much easier to get kids to try vegetables that they helped to grow.

Tomatoes, in particular are one of the easiest foods to grow at home. With just a dozen tomato plants, last year we grew far more tomatoes than we could possibly eat in one summer. With the left-overs we made big batches of home-made spaghetti sauce which we then freeze in meal-sized portions that last for months after the winter snow begins to fall.

With the latest FDA warning, one of the most important things growing in our backyard garden is the peace of mind we get from not having to worry about the safety of our fresh home-grown produce.