Not Cool- Tomatoes

I have bad news.  It's about tomatoes.  Turns out the awesome summer veggie that I look forward to dicing up in my salad and throwing into my turkey sandwiches are tainted. 

As of early June 2008, tomatoe crops from several states have been recalled for fear of possible salmonella contamination. 

So far the outbreak has sickened 167 people mostly in Texas, New Mexico and in the western states.  The outbreak has caused restaurants and fast food chains to stop serving tomatoes on all of their dishes. 

Here's what you can do to keep yourself healthy.  While the federal disease detectives search for the source of the salmonella outbreak, consumers are being advised against buying round red tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and oblong shaped red plum tomatoes unless they're from the following places (these places have safe tomatoes): Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, The Netherlands and Puerto Rico. 

There are some safe tomatoes.  Cherry tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine and grape tomatoes have not been linked to the outbreak. 

Symptoms of salmonella include fever and abdominal cramping and usually appear within 12 to 72 hours of infection.  The illness usually lasts four to seven days and serious complications are common in infants, the eldely and people with weakened immuse systems. 

Play it safe.  Find out where your tomatoes are from by checking the sticker found on most produce or calling your grocery store.  And maybe stick to mango salsa instead of tomatoe salsa for  while.

Salmonella is yucky.  For more tips on food safety, read this.