Salmonella fears spark grape tomato recall (complete details)

[OhioChick]

Source: CBS News

May 3, 2011 12:09 PM

(CBS) Salmonella fears have sparked the recall of grape tomatoes used in prepared foods sold in 13 states.

The tomatoes - used in salads and other products - were sold by Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, Savemart, Sam's Club, and Walmart stores in Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Utah, according to the FDA.

No illnesses have been reported, but the FDA says the affected products should not be eaten. They can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

Salmonella is a microorgamism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Children, frail or elderly people, and others with weak immune systems are at greatest risk. In healthy adults, salmonellosis can cause fever, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20059321-10391704.html

[MisterP]

1. microorgamism lol

[murielm99]

2. People can't just wash their fruits and veggies? n/t

[Occulus]

3. That's what I was wondering. n/t

[FirstLight]

4. How does salmonella end up on veggies?

is it contaminated water used for irrigation? I thought salmonella was only present in meat products like chicken :shrug:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. It comes from animal feces.

In the past it's been carried onto farms via runoff from large overcrowded livestock facilities.

[murielm99]

6. It's crazy, isn't it?

It does come from runoff of contaminated water used in the fields. I have been told that to save time and money, some products are processed and packaged right in the fields, where there is greater chance for this type of contamination.

I still think people need to wash everything.

[saras]

7. If you don't put shit on your food, you don't have to wash it off

Once stuff is contaminated, there's no guarantee you will always be able to wash it off.

There's no excuse except factory-farm cost cutting to get shit on your food in the first place.

Same goes for e. coli, but more so. e. coli is fecal bacteria, fer chrissakes!

[murielm99]

8. I had e. coli two years ago.

I was in the hospital for six days and nearly died. Of course, we never found out where I got it.

All of this is serious, and we need to start doing something about it. If there is inadequate oversight for these products, we need to find our own ways to pressure the producers.

And I do agree with you. Once stuff is contaminated, we may not be able to wash it clean. There really is no excuse for these things showing up in fruit and veggies.

[OhioChick]

9. That sounds awful...

Same thing happened to my Aunt, however she got E. Coli from a hamburger served at the hospital. (She was hospitalized for a different illness) Needless to say, she nearly died from the ordeal and was in the hospital for weeks.

This shouldn't happen in this day and age.