FDA warns of eating raw red tomatoes

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning people in Texas and New Mexico not to eat uncooked red tomatoes due to possible contamination.

The FDA said an outbreak of salmonellosis appears linked with consumption of certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes. The bacterium causing the illnesses is Salmonella serotype Saintpaul, an uncommon type of salmonella.

The federal agency said it hasn't determined the specific type and source of the contaminated tomatoes, although preliminary data suggest raw red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes are involved.

"At this time, consumers in New Mexico and Texas should limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak," the FDA said. "These include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached and tomatoes grown at home."

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.

The FDA said from April 23 though June 1 there were 57 reported cases of salmonellosis in New Mexico and Texas, including 17 hospitalizations. Approximately 30 reports of illness in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Utah are being investigated to determine whether they are also linked with tomatoes.