California tomato prices up sharply

WASHINGTON, June 11 (UPI) -- Prices for California tomatoes have been rising because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says they are definitely not infected with salmonella.

But growers say the salmonella scare has cost them millions of dollars, The Orange County Register reported Wednesday. Many restaurant chains removed tomatoes from their menus this week, returning produce to distributors and growers.

The Golden State's tomato season generally begins in July.

At least 167 cases of salmonella linked to tomatoes have been reported across the country. Federal authorities say that Roma, red round or plum tomatoes should be considered dangerous, while cherry and grape tomatoes and tomatoes with the vine still attached are believed to be safe.

Tomatoes from a number of states, including California, Florida and New Jersey have been completely cleared. The FDA only cleared Florida tomatoes on Tuesday, causing billions in losses in a state where the season is ending.

In California, Sam Ingardia, owner of Ingardia Bros. Produce in Santa Ana, told the Register he shipped 350 cases of tomatoes on the vine Tuesday, more than twice the usual number.