National Salmonellosis Outbreak
in Certain Types of Tomatoes 

Current information on the FDA Investigation

Florida Case Not Contracted in Florida
There is one case of Salmonella Saintpaul in a Florida resident that matches the strain associated with the national outbreak. This individual did not consume raw tomatoes in Florida; the individual consumed raw tomatoes in New York and later became sick.

The Florida Department of Health Food and Waterborne Disease Investigation team, in Tallahassee, continues to work with the CDC, FDA, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and other states on this investigation.

Tomatoes that are Safe to Eat
Tomatoes that consumers can continue to eat (as of June 13, 2008) because they have not been linked to the outbreak in any region:

• Raw cherry tomatoes

• Grape tomatoes

• Tomatoes with the vine still attached

• Tomatoes grown at home

• Certain types of tomatoes form areas not associated with the outbreak (see below)

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.

Certain Types of Tomatoes from Florida Counties, Other States that Are Safe

The FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from areas that have not been associated with the outbreak which are these Florida counties and states:

Florida Counties (shipments of tomatoes harvested in these counties are acceptable with a certificate issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services): Charlotte, Citrus, DeSoto, Gadsden, Hamilton, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee.

States Other Than Florida (for raw red plum, raw red Roma, and raw red round tomatoes)
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
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

Additional Information on the Investigations:
For case numbers in other states, visit the CDC's investigation web page at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/saintpaul/

For information on the tomato investigation, visit the FDA's investigation web page at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html

For information about Florida tomatoes, contact the Department of Agriculture and

Consumer Services at http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/

For information on safe handling of fresh produce in general:
FIGHT BAC! - Partnership for Food Safety Education
Safe Handling of Raw produce and Fresh-Squeezed Fruit and Vegetable Juices - FDA
 

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BRONSON ANNOUNCES
FLORIDA TOMATOES DEEMED SAFE BY FDA 

Issued June 11, 2008

Media Contact: Liz Compton, comptol@doacs.state.fl.us,

TALLAHASSEE -- Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that Florida-grown tomatoes have been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been added to the agency's list of states with "safe to eat" tomatoes. FDA's website is updated in the evening and will reflect the change.

"I was confident Florida was not the problem and was not the source of the salmonella outbreak impacting other states," Bronson said. "Florida tomato growers have one of the most stringent tomato production programs in the nation. They initiated the heightened safety standards several years ago to ensure public confidence in their product."

After reviewing Florida's safety initiative, the timing of the illness outbreak and the timing of tomato harvesting, FDA added Florida to the "safe to eat" list. Growers will provide a certificate with each shipment verifying the tomatoes are from Florida. Bronson points out that the tomatoes that are now being harvested and shipped from Florida did not even exist when the salmonella outbreak occurred. He says Florida growers sell an abundance of their product in Florida and there have been no reported illness in the state. Florida growers also sell predominantly to eastern states and the bulk of illnesses have occurred in western states.

"It is critical that consumers know that our tomatoes are safe and delicious," Bronson said. "Our growers have worked hard to ensure the utmost safety of their product."

Currently, tomato harvesting is under way in three areas of the state, Quincy near Tallahassee and Ruskin and Palmetto near the Tampa area. Growers have already had truckloads of tomatoes turned away by retailers concerned about the salmonella outbreak that has impacted mostly western states. Retailers are being notified of Florida's addition to the "safe to eat" list and it is hoped Florida tomatoes will be back on store shelves immediately and enjoyed by all.

In 2006-2007, Florida tomato industry had $464 million in cash receipts. They have an estimated direct and indirect economic value of $1.1 billion in total direct and indirect economic impact, provide over 15,700 jobs and contribute $58 million indirectly to local and state tax revenue streams.