Salmonella Saintpaul Tomato Outbreak

June 9 -- This past weekend, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded its April alert on tomatoes contaminated with an uncommon form of Salmonella to the entire nation. Certain kinds of raw tomatoes as well as some tomato products have been recalled. Raw red plum, Roma, and round tomatoes grown in certain locations have been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul.

The FDA recommends limiting tomato consumption to cherry and grape tomatoes, those tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and home-grown tomatoes. Tomato-based products that could be affected include fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo and should be eaten with care. Not all areas of tomato production have been contaminated, and it is safe to eat tomatoes from the following areas: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as locations outside of the United States. Since mid-April, 145 cases of the associated salmonella have been reported, with 23 hospitalizations.

There is no need for a salmonella panic to ensue, however. Shoppers simply need to take extra care when selecting tomatoes at the grocery store. Avoiding tomatoes altogether is the surest prevention against Salmonella Saintpaul, but other measures can be taken to ensure the safe consumption of tomatoes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends taking basic precautions when dealing with any fresh produce, especially during a salmonella outbreak.

The CDC's advice includes thoroughly washing produce, even using a little dish soap to remove pesticides. Also, cut, peeled, or cooked produce should be refrigerated within two hours. Any knives, boards, and other food preparation materials should also be washed with soap before using a different food type with them. When preparing a hot dish, tomatoes should be cooked at 145 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 15 seconds in order to kill off the salmonella bacteria. Keep diseases to a minimum by washing the hands often, especially when coming into contact with infectious matter, as after visiting the bathroom. By implementing these basic practices, salmonella-based fears and actual contamination can easily be kept at bay.

Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes, Food and Drug Administration.

Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Saintpaul, The Center for Disease Control.