FDA: Warning on Certain Raw Tomatoes

[Barb73]

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01843.html

Comment: This is important for everyone, but most especially for those with a compromised immune system and/or those on chemotherapy.

Excerpt from release:

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FDA Warns Consumers in New Mexico and Texas Not to Eat Certain Types of Raw Red Tomatoes

The Food and Drug Administration is alerting consumers in New Mexico and Texas that a salmonellosis outbreak appears to be linked to consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. The bacteria causing the illnesses are Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of Salmonella.

The specific type and source of tomatoes are under investigation. However, preliminary data suggest that raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes are the cause. At this time, consumers in New Mexico and Texas should limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.

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. In rare circumstances, the organism can get into the bloodstream and produce more severe illnesses. Consumers in New Mexico and Texas who have recently eaten raw tomatoes or foods containing raw tomatoes and are experiencing any of these symptoms should contact their health care provider. All Salmonella infections should be reported to state or local health authorities.

From April 23 though June 1, 2008, there have been 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. There are no reported deaths.

FDA recognizes that the source of the contaminated tomatoes may be limited to a single grower or packer or tomatoes from a specific geographic area. FDA also recognizes 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. In order to ensure that consumers can continue to enjoy tomatoes that are safe to eat, FDA is working diligently with the states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indian Health Service, and various food industry trade associations to quickly determine the source and type of the contaminated tomatoes. As more information becomes available, FDA will update this warning.

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(FDA, Food and Drug Association, US Gov., June 3, 2008)

[RandyW]

last one was don't eat the spinach. Before that don't eat the raspberries. Remember don't eat the Green onions!? Oh and don't eat the Beef Mad Cow disease!! the chicken vould have salmonella and the seafood has Mercury poisoning. The other white meat Pork, was known for Trichinosis!!

[Barb73]

Randy,

I think we should all plant victory gardens as we did during WWII - 'cause we need to put up a defense against all of this crapola.

Of course, we cannot do a dern thing about an alternative meat source - unless - go vegan.

Anyway, I buy local tomatoes grown here in Bergen County, and as for canned - I buy Italian.

So much for my trusting anything.

Barbara

[RandyW]

THe only thing declaring victory in my gardens are the weeds!!!

[Barb73]

We have declared weeds to be another variety of flower.

That takes care of the guilt. After all, don't they make wine from dandelions? Hmmmm?

"RandyW"]THe only thing declaring victory in my gardens are the weeds!!!

[CaroleHammett]

Interesting that this has been going on since April, but they still haven't identiifed the source--not even whether the tomatoes are domestic or foreign.

I usually buy organic these days, but I always try to buy local. Numerous studies show that locally-grown produce is less likely to create health issues than imports (even when the imports are from just a few counties away).

Thanks for the posting, Barb.

Carole

Life is a Terminal Condition

[Barb73]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/met ... 28360.html

ARTICLE:

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Health officials Monday confirmed that a Houston cancer patient who died after being hospitalized with nausea, diarrhea and high fever had contracted Saintpaul salmonellosis, but stopped short of saying the debilitating illness caused his death.

Salmonella Saintpaul — thought spread by eating some types of raw tomatoes — has sickened 146 people in 16 states. Confirmation that Raul Rivera, 67, also had contracted the disease brings the total of Harris County victims to 15. Fifty-seven Texans have been sickened by the disease.

City health department spokeswoman Kathy Barton said Rivera's death certificate officially attributed his death to lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. But, she added, salmonella poisoning, extremely dangerous for infants, the elderly and cancer patients and others with a depressed immune system, was a contributing factor.

Rivera is thought to be the first person to die in the current outbreak.

Rivera's wife, Barbara, said her husband ate tomatoes during a restaurant meal celebrating good news he had received concerning his cancer treatment. Four other family members who ate tomatoes also became ill.

Meanwhile, McDonalds and Taco Bell joined other restaurant chains in deleting tomatoes from their menus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged consumers to avoid raw Roma, plum and red round tomatoes until the source of the outbreak has been determined.

Cherry, grape and homegrown tomatoes, as well as those sold still attached to the vine, are believed safe.

The FDA said that tomatoes commercially grown in Texas and seven other states do not appear to be the source of contamination.

Florida, which produces about half the nation's commercial tomatoes, has not been cleared. Last year, Florida and Virginia — linked to most of 12 tomato-related salmonella outbreaks in the past decade — were enrolled in a special FDA safety initiative to ensure good food production and handling practices.

Reggie Brown, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee, a trade group, could not be reached for comment Monday.

Barbara Rivera said her husband joined family members in a celebratory meal at a local Mexican restaurant in late May after he was told there was new hope he would survive his cancer. Rivera had already undergone eight chemotherapy and 14 radiation treatments and most of his tumors had shrunk.

Rivera's wife said her husband and four other family members ate pico de gallo, a tomato-based condiment. Two days later Rivera began suffering nausea and diarrhea. For several days he was treated at home with pain relievers and liquids. He was admitted to a hospital six days after the meal.

Rivera died Wednesday. The four others also became ill, Barbara Rivera said, but didn't require hospitalization.

Salmonella Saintpaul — one of 2,500 strains of the bacterium — is relatively rare, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Of 1.4 million salmonellosis cases last year, slightly more than 400 involved the Saintpaul strain.

Nationwide, only about three cases of the Saintpaul strain were reported in the first six months of 2007.

The CDC, however, estimated that 38 unreported cases occur for every instance brought to the attention of a physician.

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(Chron.com, Houston & Texas News, by Allan Turner, June 9, 2008)

Disclaimer:

The information contained in these articles may or may not be in agreement with my own opinions. They are not posted as medical advice of any kind.