Easy Recipes From The Garden

The salmonella food poisoning first linked to uncooked tomatoes has spread now to 16 states, federal health officials said on Saturday.

“We’re seeing a steady increase,” Deborah Busemeyer, New Mexico Department of Health communications director, said.

Another 50 people have been made sick by the same Salmonella “Saintpaul” infection in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. The source of the tomatoes causing illnesses has not been pinpointed. Health officials say cherry and grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and home-grown tomatoes are likely not the source of the outbreak.

The CDC recommends that consumers:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled or cooked tomatoes.
• Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes, and throw away any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash tomatoes under running water.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils and countertops with soap and hot water when switching between types of food products.

More information: FDA website
Photo: DruMcpherson.com

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