Health officials in New Mexico began testing a variety of tomatoes after it received 57 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul in New Mexico and Texas from April 23 through June 1. Seventeen people have also been hospitalized.
The federal agency suspects that the salmonellosis outbreak to be linked to consumption of raw red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes, as well as products containing raw red tomatoes.
Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, frail or elderly people and those with weakened immune systems. The symptoms include fever, diarrhea (which could be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Sometimes the salmonella can get into the blood stream and cause more severe illnesses. The FDA federal agency is warning consumers to limit the consumption to other tomatoes, including cherry, grape and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, as well as tomatoes grown at home. The best way to avoid eating a bad tomato is to make sure you pick one without bruises and wash them before eating.
