It couldn't have happened at a worse time. Add large round red tomatoes, Roma tomatoes and plum tomatoes to the list of vegetable crops in recent months that have been contaminated with bacteria and then removed from grocer's shelves. Central Texans probably could have endured going without corn on the cob, green beans, spinach, and carrots. But summer tomatoes are a traditional summer staple that, along Central Texas peaches and watermelons, are an integral part of summer diets. The Food and Drug Administration cautions consumers not to eat the affected tomatoes until an outbreak of salmonella has been contained.

Cooked tomato dishes including salsa and spaghetti sauce still can be made because the cooking process kills the bacteria. But any recipes that requires raw tomatoes such as pico de gallo, fresh salads or sliced tomatoes might be affected. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a news release containing a list of states that have been cleared of growing contaminated products, including Texas. According to the FDA news release, since mid April, there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul nationwide, including at least 23 hospitalizations, some of them in Hays County. Like many food crops, tomatoes are shipped long distances and contaminated products can show up on grocery shelves across the country even if they are not grown in the area.

Almost everyone has experienced a food-borne illness at some point in time. They can occur when food is prepared at a restaurant or at home. If food is handled and prepared safely, most illnesses can be avoided. However, in this particular case, the government believes just good washing may not removed all the bacteria.

All food may contain some natural bacteria and improper storage or handling gives the bacteria a chance to grow. Also, food can be contaminated with bacteria from other sources that can make you ill. Contaminated food can be very dangerous, especially to children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year food-borne illnesses kill 5,200 people of all ages. They also cause fever, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea in almost 80 million Americans, or about one in three people.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a bacteria that infects the intestines and causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. At least 40,000 cases of salmonella infection are reported in the United States each year. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most persons recover without treatment.

However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In those patients, the salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

How Does It Get On The Tomato?

Salmonella may be spread by:

• Eating raw foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but all foods, including vegetables, may become contaminated. Many raw foods of animal origin are frequently contaminated, but fortunately, thorough cooking kills Salmonella.
• Handling reptiles. Reptiles (such as iguanas and turtles) are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella and people should always wash their hands immediately after handling a reptile, even if the reptile is healthy. Adults should also be careful that children wash their hands after handling a reptile.

What Can I Do?

If you don't have to put tomatoes on the dinner table, then don't. You could always wait until more information is available. That's exactly what the Seton Family of Hospitals has done.

"We take these situations very seriously and will not put our population at any risk," said Judi Bork, General Manager Food Services, Seton Family of Hospitals. "Until more definitive information is made available about this situation, we plan on keeping tomatoes out of service. The only exceptions are tomatoes used in cooking (like in our fresh salsa) where heating the tomatoes to proper temperature for the required time ensures the product is safe. And I must say we have had strong support from our customers in our decision."

Local grocer H-E-B is also practicing caution in regards to the pulled varieties of tomatoes. In a news release dated June 3, Vice President of Public Affairs and Diversity Winell Herron stated, "Ensuring the safety and quality of products sold in our stores is a top priority for H-E-B. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will return the product to our stores once it is absolutely safe for our customers."

All is not lost. While large grocery store chains may be removing their supply of raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes, it is perfectly fine to eat tomatoes coming from your own garden or those coming from local farmer's markets. Other varieties of tomatoes such as cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes or round tomatoes sold with the vine still attached are not on the warning list and can be purchased and consumed. As with any vegetable, make sure to use proper washing procedures before eating.

Eric Gundermann of Gundermann Farms, a local family owned and operated farm in Glen Flora, recommends rinsing produce in a soapy bath or with a small amount of Clorox. "Take half a teaspoon of Clorox (not any other brand of bleach) and add it to one gallon of water," said Eric. Submerge the vegetables in the bath for a few minutes and then thoroughly rinse with water."

Prevent Contamination in Your Home

Follow these recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent home contamination:

• Purchase produce that is not bruised or damaged.
• When selecting fresh cut produce - such as a half a watermelon or bagged mixed salad greens - choose only those items that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
• Bag fresh fruits and vegetables separately from meat, poultry and seafood products when packing them to take home from the market.
• Because eggs, meat, seafood, and poultry are most likely to contain bacteria, do not allow their juices to drip on other food.
• Thoroughly wash produce before eating it.
• Avoid cross-contamination of foods. Uncooked meats should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods.
• All utensils, including cutting boards, knives, counters, etc., should be thoroughly washed after handling uncooked foods.
• Thoroughly wash hands before handling foods and between handling different food items.
• Thoroughly wash hands after contact with feces.
• Thoroughly wash hands after handling any reptiles, since reptiles are particularly likely to have Salmonella.

More Information

Food and Drug Administration News Release

Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) News Release