In This Article
Subscribe to Health Updates
Arnulfo Franco/AP
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Secretary Michael Leavitt
U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Secretary Michael Leavitt
FDA Ends Tomato Warning; Salmonella Source Still Unknown
July 18, 2008 03:20 PM
FDA officials have declared tomatoes safe to eat, ending a warning that devastated tomato growers, but they still have not found the source of the salmonella outbreak.
30-Second Summary
On July 17, 2008, FDA officials removed tomatoes from a list of possible foods that may have spread a rare strain of salmonella around the United States for weeks.
Investigators have tested thousands of food samples, including tomatoes and peppers, but the case has been difficult to crack. No salmonella bacterium like the one associated with the outbreak, Salmonella Saintpaul, has been found.
During the tomato warning, grocers, restaurant chains and distributors dumped an estimated $100 million to $250 million of tomatoes into the garbage, infuriating produce industry leaders who say the FDA should have been more certain before claiming tomatoes were the source of the salmonella outbreak.
"If they're going to do that kind of economic damage to a commodity group, then they should have a very firm foundation for making that determination," said Tom Nassif, chief executive of the Western Growers Association, an industry group.
"The fact that we cannot prove that they were contaminated is going to stay with us forever," said FDA food-safety chief David Acheson.
The tomato scare, along with a spate of food-borne illnesses, has drawn attention to how the FDA handles food safety issues.
Many critics say recent problems highlight a need for reforms at the agency. According to the Houston Chronicle, even internal FDA critics say the “food watchdogs” are in “a state of crisis.”
Investigators have tested thousands of food samples, including tomatoes and peppers, but the case has been difficult to crack. No salmonella bacterium like the one associated with the outbreak, Salmonella Saintpaul, has been found.
During the tomato warning, grocers, restaurant chains and distributors dumped an estimated $100 million to $250 million of tomatoes into the garbage, infuriating produce industry leaders who say the FDA should have been more certain before claiming tomatoes were the source of the salmonella outbreak.
"If they're going to do that kind of economic damage to a commodity group, then they should have a very firm foundation for making that determination," said Tom Nassif, chief executive of the Western Growers Association, an industry group.
"The fact that we cannot prove that they were contaminated is going to stay with us forever," said FDA food-safety chief David Acheson.
The tomato scare, along with a spate of food-borne illnesses, has drawn attention to how the FDA handles food safety issues.
Many critics say recent problems highlight a need for reforms at the agency. According to the Houston Chronicle, even internal FDA critics say the “food watchdogs” are in “a state of crisis.”
Headline Links: Tomatoes off the hook
About 20 U.S. consumers a day are still getting sick with salmonella. Although hot peppers are now part of the investigation, the FDA warning about them is "weak," according to The Sacramento Bee. So far, only people with compromised immune systems are advised to avoid eating jalapeno and serrano peppers. "That is a reflection of the certainty we feel about the issue," said Robert Tauxe, a lead investigator for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Source: The Sacramento Bee
The FDA originally cited tomatoes as the source of the salmonella outbreak based on interviews with infected consumers. Tomatoes haven't been completely cleared of responsibility for the outbreak, but investigators said none of the tomatoes on the market now could be the cause.
Source: USA Today
Background: Investigating tomatoes
In June 2008, the FDA released a warning to the entire country about the potential dangers of consuming raw red round, red Roma and red plum tomatoes. The tomatoes were believed to be carrying a rare salmonella strain that was making consumers sick.
Source: findingDulcinea
The salmonella outbreak may be the largest of its kind, with hundreds of people around the United States infected. As investigators continue hunting for the source of the bacteria, frustration has mounted from consumer to congressional levels. "What makes it so pathetic is there has been nothing found," stated Bob Spenser, co-owner of West Coast Tomato.
Source: Baltimore Sun
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is focusing on fresh salsa ingredients in its search for the salmonella source. Commercially-produced salsas packaged in cans, jars or plastic containers aren't involved in the search.
Source: KARE-11
Reactions: Farmers and health officials have their say
“What Katrina did for FEMA this salmonella thing is going to do for the FDA,” warned tomato grower Bob Spencer. “They are going to have to be much more prudent before ringing the alarm bell.” Lisa Lochridge, a spokeswoman with the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association, said that even though health officials looked like they were second-guessing their assumptions about tomatoes, it was “not an about-face” on their stance. “There is still a strong association with tomatoes but there may be another source,” Lochridge stated.
Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune
If it’s learned that tomatoes weren’t the source of the salmonella strain, Tennessee’s state epidemiologist Tim Jones said he thought everyone would “be very apologetic.” The produce industry, however, would likely “insist on congressional hearings” and a close examination of how the tomato investigation was conducted, said Jim Prevor, editor of Produce Business magazine. “This is a real disaster.” Produce Business estimates that tomato farmers and distributors could lose up to $250 million.
Source: Baltimore Sun
Related Topics: Food-borne illnesses, Canada affected
Despite recent scares, the rate of food-borne illnesses is not rising. Highly publicized outbreaks may make the frequency of such illnesses appear to be increasing, but the number has stayed fairly constant over the past decade.
Source: findingDulcinea
The Public Health Agency of Canada reported that two people from Ontario and two from Alberta have tested positive for the same salmonella strain affecting the United States. Three of the four individuals traveled in the United States, and officials were investigating the fourth case. Agency spokeswoman Dr. Andrea Ellis said it was likely that more people would have been infected if tainted food was distributed in Canada.
Source: Winnipeg Sun
Opinion & Analysis: Who is to blame?
“The number of outbreaks of food-borne illnesses from both domestic and imported products over the past several years indicates that” the current method of handling food safety isn’t working, Carol Tucker Foreman, a former assistant agriculture secretary for President Carter, said. Both the Government Accountability Office and Tucker Foreman agree that the FDA and USDA should work together more to keep food safe.
Source: Houston Chronicle
While some people are faulting the FDA for not being able to protect consumers, CNN anchor Lou Dobbs has pointed a finger at President Bush instead. “You know,” Dobbs said, “I have heard a lot of reasons over the years as to why George W. Bush should be impeached. But for them to leave the Food and Drug Administration in this state…is alone to me sufficient reason to impeach a president who has made this agency possible and ripped its guts out in its ability to protect the American consumer.”
Source: Los Angeles Times (free registration may be required)
Reference: Salmonella
People infected with salmonella will likely experience fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after infection. Generally, treatment is not required, but in cases where diarrhea is too severe, or the infection spreads from the intestines, antibiotics or IV fluids may be necessary.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
© 2009 Dulcinea Media, Inc.
