Tainted Tomatoes

Tomatoes have been identified as the source of salmonella poisoning in 145 people in several states in the US over the last 2 months. It is best to avoid Roma and round red tomatoes. Tomatoes that are considered safe to eat are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes that are still on the vine, and home grown tomatoes.

For updates see this Food and Drug Administration page.

You may recall this review from a previous contamination that involved spinach.
Salmonella is a bacteria that is transmitted to humans by eating foods that are contaminated by animal or human feces. It does not cause any change in the smell or taste of the food that it infects. It is the most frequently reported cause of food borne illnesses in the US - 1.4 million cases annually.


Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, cramps, fever, and vomiting. The symptoms may be much more severe in young children, the elderly, and in the immunocompromised patients. Although the illness may resolve spontaneously after 7 days, it may take several months before the bowels return to normal. A small percentage of the people may also develop joint pain, painful urination, and eye irritation that may last for months to years.