Updated June 20, 2008

N.C. tomatoes on FDA's safe list

Agency recommends eating certain raw tomatoes only from approved sources

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding its warning to consumers nationwide that a salmonellosis outbreak across the country has been linked to consumption of certain raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes, and products containing these raw, red tomatoes.

FDA recommends that consumers not eat raw red Roma, raw red plum, raw red round tomatoes, or products that contain these types of raw red tomatoes unless the tomatoes are from the sources listed below.

Using traceback and other distribution pattern information, FDA published a list of states, territories, and countries where tomatoes are grown and harvested that have not been associated with this outbreak. 

This list of approved sources is available at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers. It will be updated as more information becomes available.

If unsure of where tomatoes are grown or harvested, consumers are encouraged to contact the store where the tomato purchase was made.  Consumers should continue to eat cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home.

For FDA updates on this issue, go here.