The US Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers to avoid three types of tomato – Roma, red plum and red round tomatoes – due to possible salmonella contamination. 

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At least 145 consumers have been infected since mid-April, and fresh cases were linked to the outbreak yesterday (9 June), the FDA revealed. All the cases involve the same unusual strain of the bacteria – salmonella saintpaul. There have as yet been no fatalities.


The outbreak reflects 2006’s spinach scare, when sales of spinach plummeted after it was linked to the spread of salmonella. Increasingly in the US, consumers are coming to view produce as a health risk that is linked to the spread of food-borne diseases.


Tomatoes have been linked to 13 outbreaks of salmonella since 1990, according to advocacy group the Center for Science in the Public Interest.


The FDA has said tomatoes still attached to the vine, cherry and grape tomatoes are safe.

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


Grocery stores, including Safeway, Giant Food, Harris Teeter and Wegmans have pulled tomatoes identified as potentially unsafe by the FDA.


Tomato producers and industry representatives have moved to quell consumer fears that the consumption of tomatoes is unsafe, emphasising that some growing areas in the US have already been ruled out as the source of the outbreak.


“There is no salmonella risk in consuming tomato products such as ketchup, soup, juice, sauce and paste since, in processing these products, heat reaches at least 160 degrees,” industry body the Tomato Products Wellness Council added.


“Canned whole or diced tomatoes also can be used instead of raw tomatoes for salads, salsas and other family favourite recipes.”