FDA recalls raw tomatoes

FDA Updates Tomato Recall

FDA Updates Tomato Recall

The FDA has issued an updated warning advising consumers not to eat raw red tomatoes, raw red plum tomatoes, or raw red Roma tomatoes as these types may be responsible for the current outbreak of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul. According to the CDC, if infected, the symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps lasting from 4 to 7 days.

Most healthy people will recover on their own, but occasionally symptoms may be so severe that hospitalization is required. The most severe cases can result in the infection spreading to the bloodstream and internal organs. If this happens, patients can die unless immediately treated with antibiotics. Although rare, these complications are most often found in infants, the elderly and others with compromised immune systems. For the latest updates, check www.fda.gov.

Although the FDA says cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and those tomatoes sold with the vine still attached seem to be safe this time, we've seen produce of several different kinds from multiple large farms cause similar outbreaks over and over in the last few years. In these days of giant corporate farms and regional processing plants, a single source can cause nationwide consequences. Now more than ever, it is time to think again about growing your own fresh vegetables.

A small garden in the backyard can provide a safe alternative source of tomatoes and other fresh vegetables. With today's riding prices and fuel surcharges, a family garden is also a good way to save some money. We've been growing as many of our own vegetables for about three years now, partly because of the repeated lapses in the safety practices of store-bought produce suppliers. We've also found that working together in the garden is a great family activity and it's much easier to get kids to try vegetables that they helped to grow.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/812069/fda_updates_tomato_recall.html
 
A nationwide tomato recall issued Monday by the Food and Drug Administration means one local market may have to dump its Florida-grown supply while local wholesalers stand to lose a chunk of revenue.

At the same time, sales for East Tennessee tomato growers are brisker than ever.

McDonald's, Wal-Mart and other U.S. chains have halted sales of some raw tomatoes as federal health officials work to trace the source of a multistate salmonella food poisoning outbreak. Burger King, Outback Steakhouse and Taco Bell were among other restaurants voluntarily withdrawing tomatoes from their menus.

The FDA has advised consumers not to eat raw Roma, round or plum tomatoes that have been linked to the outbreak. Cherry and grape tomatoes, along with tomatoes still attached to the vine, are not included in the warning. Neither are tomatoes grown in a handful of states, including Tennessee.

The source of the tomatoes responsible for the illnesses in at least 16 states has not been pinpointed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said at least 23 people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

"Stick a fork in me, I've been grilled," said Perry Pratt, co-owner of Pratt's Country Store, when asked about response from the customers who frequent his Tazewell Pike business.

Pratt said he stocked up on his customary load of wholesale Florida tomatoes "not thinking anything, just like a normal Monday."

Since then, he watched news of the recall on television and fielded lots of questions.

"The two people I buy mine from, they get them from Florida, they haven't had any trouble," he said. "I don't think anybody knows anything for sure."

Pratt said he would contact his vendors today in an attempt get a refund on the product. If unsuccessful, he said, they may be headed for the Dumpster.

On the other hand, Pratt's locally grown hothouse tomatoes are selling well.

"I have the Grainger County tomatoes, and they're good to go," he said. "(Customers are) picking those up. They'd rather pay a little more for the confidence in them."

Grainger County tomato farmer Luke Stratton said his sales are better than ever, since Tennessee tomatoes so far have escaped the FDA blacklist.

"All my stores, the tomato sales were up," said Stratton, who is selling his greenhouse product to primarily local markets including IGA stores in Knoxville and Maryville and Old Town Market in Tazewell. The family's 15 to 20 acres of outdoor tomatoes won't start to ripen until a little later in the season. Based on conversations with his neighbors, other nearby farmers also have noticed a pickup in sales, Stratton said.

The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers in New Mexico and Texas as early as June 3 about the outbreak. The agency expanded its warning during the weekend and chains began voluntarily removing many tomatoes from their shelves in response. Tampa, Fla.-based OSI Restaurant Partners LLC, which owns and operates eight brands including Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's and Bonefish Grill, said it stopped serving all raw tomatoes other than grape tomatoes on Saturday evening. The company also instructed its restaurants to discard salsa and other prepared foods containing raw tomatoes.

Local tomato wholesalers have been feeling the heat, especially from their restaurant customers.

Randy Kirby with Neels Wholesale Produce in Knoxville said his sales are probably down 40 percent, mostly because of a sharp cutback in restaurant business.

"Shoney's pulled them off, they're no longer taking them," Kirby said. "Some … customers out of Kentucky called us and said they weren't going to be using any."

The recall so far hasn't reached the level of others, such as a nationwide green onion scare several years ago, in which consumers were sickened by hepatitis.

"This one so far isn't as bad, Kirby said, adding, "But it's still early."

Meanwhile, what to do with all those unwanted tomatoes?

"They're good to throw at cars," Pratt suggested. "You can fight with them."

Business writer Larisa Brass may be reached at 865-342-6318. The Associated Press contributed to this story.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jun/10/fda-recalls-raw-tomatoes/
 

Facetious

Moderated
Didn't this take place last week (?) or is this yet another disaster in the making.

This kind of shit didn't happen pre "North American Free Trade Agreement" (NAFTA) / General Agreement on Trade & Tariff (GATT)

:thefinger


The USFDA and USDA continue to cover for the substandard farming techniques in Mexico. Our authorities consistently tar and feather the American farmer while they let the Mexican origin produce slide. If you wouldn't drink the water in mexico, why would you eat their (what passes for produce) ?

Raw human waste disked into the agricultural fields of Mexico ? Bet on it !
That's how they do things in the 3rd world.

If the sticker says Mexico, I set it back down ! :yesyes:

In the past, the domestic American produce which was found to be unfit for consumption was such due to substandard or sloppy farming techniques.
 
I can't stand the FDA, I wish someone would shut these people down. They like to hide the truth about everything when it comes to health foods and natural healing.
 

Legzman

what the fuck you lookin at?
Re: FDA Updates Tomato Recall

FUCK! Still no tomatoes! I love tomatoes, to the point I can eat them like apples! They are still missed :(
 
I can't stand the FDA, I wish someone would shut these people down. They like to hide the truth about everything when it comes to health foods and natural healing.

Actually, the FDA doesn't have TOTAL RECALL POWER. In the case of meats, for example, the FDA is completely reliant upon the Big Corporations to "self-police" and release a recall. "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser dealt with this. Our Gov't is handicapped in its power to recall foodstuffs by the Corporations and they Lawyer/Lobbyists.

If these tomatoes are imported than yeah they're supposed to be monitoring imports. Of course the other aspect of that is that we have no money to properly fund the FDA and hire enough food inspectors...We Americans just have to have our fucking tax cuts I guess:rolleyes:

I distinctly remember a Corporate Fight between Burger King (YUM! Brands) and the Florida Tomato Growers Association recently. Burger King was holding the line on cost increases at the expense of the Tomato Growers...hmm..all of a sudden we have a problem with tomatoes....gee...

Think there might be a connection? I posted a thread about Burger King/Tomato Growers here on this board...hmm....2 months ago? I should resurrect that thread...
 

Legzman

what the fuck you lookin at?
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