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Dr Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California San Diego and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
FAST FACTS
Many of you have heard that McDonalds, Taco Bell, Burger King and Wal-Mart have decided to yank their tomatoes this week. So what's the real story with tomatoes and Salmonella?
The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers in New Mexico and Texas that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to eating certain types of red tomatoes and products containing red tomatoes. The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella.
Preliminary investigation suggests that raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes are the cause. At this point people in New Mexico and Texas should also avoid tomatoes NOT implicated in the outbreak (cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.)
What happens when you get Salmonella? 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. Rarely, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses.
Was there really an outbreak? Yes, from April 23 through June 1, 2008, there were 57 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul in New Mexico and Texas, including 17 hospitalizations. Approximately 30 reports of illness in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Utah are currently being investigated to determine whether they are also linked to tomatoes.
Another concern, which the FDA hopefully recognizes, is that there are many tomato crops across the country and in foreign countries that are just becoming ready for harvest or will become ready in the coming months. We hope the FDA and CDC find the source of infection so we know what to stay away from. I'll keep you posted, and the tomato consumer page can be found at the FDA web site.
Until we know more, pick them off your food like your 3 year old does.
Dr O.
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Displaying comments 16-1 of 16
Got a Question?
1) The salmonella outbreak from raw red tomatoes has expanded to include more than 756 cases in 34 states and the District of Columbia, the CDC said last week.
2) At least 95 patients have been hospitalized from the outbreak involving Salmonella Saintpaul.
3) The data suggest illnesses are linked to consumption of raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes, the CDC said.
4) Most infected persons develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12-72 hours after infection, which is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample.
5) At this time, FDA is advising U.S. consumers to limit their tomato consumption to those that are NOT THE LIKELY SOURCE which include: cherry tomatoes; grape tomatoes; tomatoes sold with the vine still attached; tomatoes grown at home; and red plum, red Roma, and round red tomatoes from specific sources listed at: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hotto...*.
Dr O.
1) Types of tomatoes NOT LINKED TO ANY ILLNESSES are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes with the vine still attached and are OK to consume.
2) Since mid April, there have been 277 reported cases of salmonellosis nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul with at least 43 hospitalizations.
3) States NOT implicated in the outbreak are listed on the FDA site and its believed it is safe to consume tomatoes in those states....
Dr O.
Mother of a cfer
loiacki: the concentration of the bacteria on your tomatoe will be much higher