UDAF Statement on FDA Warning on Red Raw Tomatoes

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The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has contacted the 10 largest grocery store chains and food distributors in Utah to confirm they received an FDA warning about certain raw red tomatoes, and are taking action to protect consumers from salmonellosis associated with those tomatoes.  Those chains and distributors represent more than 100 individual stores in Utah.

The FDA issued a warning June 7th to consumers regarding salmonellosis and red Roma, red plum, and red round tomatoes and products containing these raw tomatoes.

The UDAF is also asking grocery store chains what they have done in response to the FDA warning.

All of the chains and distributors indicated they are aware of the warning and are taking action.

None of the 10 indicated they found any of the raw tomatoes in question.

Some of the 100 stores are placing signs in their produce section indicating their tomatoes are not those in question.

The companies are taking aggressive action in response to the FDA warning. 

The UDAF is making sure the stores and food distributors' response is adequately protecting Utah consumers and is in accordance with FDA guidelines.

We recommend stores sell only tomatoes from states not associated with the salmonella outbreak.    

The FDA has published a list of states, territories, and countries where tomatoes are grown and harvested which have not been associated with this outbreak. This updated list includes: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands, and Puerto Rico.

The list is available at: www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html#retailers. This list will be updated as more information becomes available.

Posted June 10, 2008