Tomatoes May Not Be Behind Salmonella Outbreak

Government cautions remain in place as probe continues
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 27, 2008 4:30 PM CDT
Tomatoes May Not Be Behind Salmonella Outbreak
In this June 10, 2008 file photo, a worker separates tomatoes at the sprawling Central de Abastos market in Mexico City.   (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

As salmonella cases continue to climb, the government is checking to see whether tainted tomatoes are in fact to blame for the record outbreak, the AP reports. Federal officials say the problem may be with another ingredient or with a warehouse contaminating newly harvested tomatoes.The widening outbreak, with 810 people confirmed ill, means whatever is making people sick could still be on the market.

Tomatoes remain the top suspect, and the advice on which ones consumers should avoid hasn't changed, the FDA's food safety chief said. Most worrisome, the latest victim became sick on June 15, long after the outbreak began on April 10 and weeks after government warnings stripped supermarkets and restaurants of many tomatoes. (More salmonella stories.)

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