VOLUNTARY RECALLS: Major fast-food restaurant chains and retail grocers have pulled tomatoes from their burgers and shelves in response to the recent salmonella outbreak.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 170 people have been infected with the same strain of salmonella poisoning in the last two months. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the source of the outbreak. Initial data suggests three types of raw red tomatoes are the cause, and people are advised to throw away tomatoes linked to the outbreak.

Salmonella Outbreak Hospitalizes 23

Next time you go to the local drive-thru, ordering a burger with tomato might be tricky.

A growing number of companies have voluntarily pulled tomatoes from their restaurants and produce departments, including these businesses:

• McDonald's
• Burger King
• Taco Bell
• Wal-Mart

Since mid-April, the CDC has reported ...

• 167 cases of a rare kind of salmonella called salmonella saintpaul
• at least 23 people have been hospitalized as a result of the poisonings

Since many infected people mistakenly believe they have the flu, many cases of salmonella poisoning go undiagnosed.

Steer Clear of These Three Tomatoes

Preliminary FDA research linked the recent salmonella outbreak to the juicy tomato fruit. The Food and Drug Administration has been looking into the source.

"We are working hard and fast on this one and hope to have something as quickly as possible," said Kimberly Rawlings, spokesperson for the FDA. (CNN, 6/10/08)

Initial FDA data links the outbreaks to these types of raw tomatoes:

• red plum
• red Roma
• red round

"The best thing to do if you have those certain types of tomatoes [is] throw them away or take them back to the grocery store," said Karen Blakeslee, an extension associate in the food science program at Kansas State University. (The Hartford Courant, 6/10/08)

Keep in mind that lots of food products include raw tomatoes, such as fresh salsas.

Some Tomatoes Safe

You don't have to give up all tomatoes during the salmonella outbreak, though. The FDA says these types of tomatoes are safe to eat:

• cherry tomatoes
• grape tomatoes
• homegrown tomatoes
• tomatoes with vine attached

The FDA also says tomatoes grown in these U.S. states or other countries are safe to eat:

Copyright © 2009 Informify

Question for Readers:

Do food contamination outbreaks, such as the current salmonella scare, make you consider growing your own vegetables?