U.S. tomato warning expanded nationwide

WASHINGTON, June 9 (UPI) -- Many U.S. restaurants have removed dishes containing raw tomatoes from their menus in the wake of a nationwide federal warning.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the weekend expanded its warning that a salmonellosis outbreak has been linked with consumption of certain uncooked red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes, as well as products containing such tomatoes.

The FDA said consumers can continue to eat cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, or tomatoes grown at home.

"Since mid-April, there have been 145 reported cases of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Saintpaul nationwide, including at least 23 hospitalizations," the FDA said in a statement. "States reporting illnesses linked to the outbreak include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin."

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections.