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Jun 4, 2008 1:41 pm US/Central
North Texas Grocers Pulling Tomatoes From Shelves
NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
One day after health officials announced an investigation of a nine-state outbreak of salmonella several North Texas grocers have removed certain types of tomatoes from their shelves.
Since mid-April officials have confirmed 21 cases of salmonella in Texas, with four of those in Dallas County and one in Tarrant. Other Texas counties where cases have been reported include - Hays, Harris, Fort Bend and Cameron.
Texas Department of State Health Services
(DSHS) officials said federal, state and local authorities are investigating the outbreak of the Saintpaul strain of Salmonella bacteria.
Health officials are now urging Texans not to eat certain types of raw tomatoes. While health officials have not issued a tomato recall, a number of grocers are taking preemptive steps. The 21 cases reported in Texas were cause for concern since, on average; there are usually about 30 cases of this particular strain confirmed in the state each year.
On Tuesday Tom Thumb and Randalls Grocers, part of Safeway Inc., removed all Red Round and Roma Tomatoes from sale in its Texas stores. The stores will continue to cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, all of which have not been implicated by health officials.
Kroger Grocery Stores ordered that
all fresh tomatoes, except tear-drop, grape and on-the-vine tomatoes, be pulled from their shelves.
In a press release sent out Tuesday, H-E-B/Central Market officials said none of their 'customers have reported illnesses', but they are removing all fresh Roma and salad (round) tomatoes from stores immediately.
Nationwide, there have been some 70 cases of salmonella reported. While there have been no deaths since the outbreak began, seven people in Texas had to be hospitalized.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. The bacteria are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces
Symptoms include headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Plenty of water, extra rest and visit a doctor are suggested.
Until the specific source of the illnesses is determined, here is what health officials advise:
- People with increased risk of severe infection including infants, the elderly and those with impaired immune systems not eat any raw Roma or full-sized round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home.
- People who want to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection avoid eating raw Roma or full-sized round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home.
When purchasing and eating tomatoes consumers are advised to: - Cook tomatoes at 145 degrees F. for at least 15 seconds to kill Salmonella.
- Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
- Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
- Refrigerate within two hours or discard cut, peeled or cooked tomatoes.
- Keep tomatoes that will be eaten raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood and other raw produce items.
- Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.
- Wash hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water especially after going to the restroom, before preparing or serving food and after changing a diaper.
(Source: Texas Department of State Health Services)
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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