Mexico, parts of Florida eyed as Salmonella source

Mexico, parts of Florida eyed as Salmonella source


(2008-06-13)
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. food safety officials continued their search on Friday for the source of Salmonella-tainted tomatoes and have not ruled out Mexico and South and Central Florida, which are major suppliers.

The officials said all indications pointed to a single geographic region as the source of the outbreak, which has sickened 228 people in 23 states.

David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said on a conference call that nine people who became sick with Salmonella poisoning had eaten at two different outlets of the same restaurant chain. He declined to name the chain or the location of the restaurants.

The FDA has linked the outbreak to raw round, plum and Roma tomatoes.

(Reporting by Lisa Baertlein; Editing by Ted Kerr)

© Copyright 2008, Reuters

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kuer/ ... ID=1298999

Under Mexico urges end of tainted tomato probe is a post titled Salmonella scare floods Mexico with tomatoes It states:

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Almost all vegetables are contaminated with something because they water them with sewer water and put on a lot of chemicals."

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http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-119149-sal ... o+tomatoes

Quote:

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He declined to name the chain or the location of the restaurants.

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Why? Might narrow the field down too much and maybe give an answer?

Mexico or maybe another business who hires illegals......hmmm....which one?

This is strange,our local news says we are not part of this investigation and our growers have been cleared plus there has been NO reported salmonella poisoning here in Florida. :?:

The only people I have heard that were sick in Florida got it elsewhere. If it is from Mexico then all I can say is if you can't drink the tap water because it makes you sick then why would they use any different water to water the crops. Either here or in Mexico people use the field to relieve themselves and don't wash their hands. Most illegals picking fruits and vegetables get paid by the pound so they won't go out of their way to go to a porta potty. Also I find the timing interesting. The tomato pickers for Burger King got raises recently to match others.

I figure they are trying to drag this out in some way in hopes of not having to point a direct finger at our "good friends and trading partner" :roll: :roll: :roll:

Florida has been cleared from every report I read and then were brought back in because of the timing of the first illness saying something that at that time we only had tomatoes being shipped around from Mexico or Florida. So to me it's a move to keep them from actually saying that Mexico is where it's from since they are making such a stink. I mean everyone but Mexico has been cleared.....just from that alone kind of points the finger. :roll:

http://www.fda.gov/graphics/mastheadart/fda_mast.gif

Update on the Outbreak
June 13, 2008: At this time, FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the following areas that HAVE NOT BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK:

Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
Florida (counties of: Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Suwannee, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Sarasota, Highlands, Pasco, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Charlotte)*
Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana New!
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico New!
New York
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Belgium
Canada
Dominican Republic
Guatemala
Israel
Netherlands
Puerto Rico

* Shipments of tomatoes harvested in these counties are acceptable with a certificate issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Consumers who are unsure of where the tomatoes are from that they have in their home are encouraged to contact the store or place of purchase for that information. If consumers are unable to determine the source of the tomatoes, they should not be eaten.

Consumers should also be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in other dishes.

Types of tomatoes not linked to any illnesses are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes with the vine still attached.

Since mid April, there have been 228 reported cases of salmonellosis nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul, an uncommon form of Salmonella. At least 25 hospitalizations have been reported.

Sample of an Outbreak Traceback Investigation Diagram
Sample of an Outbreak Traceback Investigation Diagram [PDF, 23KB]
http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/ ... _image.pdf

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/ ... l#outbreak