Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
|
|
 |
|
|
David Warrick of Collinsville selects tomatoes at Collinsville Produce on Virginia Avenue. Although some area restaurants and grocery stores have had to pull red tomatoes due to a federal recall, area produce stands, including this one, were not affected. (Bulletin photo by Jennifer Beeler) |
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
By JENNIFER BEELER - Bulletin Intern
A tomato recall issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has affected local restaurants and retailers, but their employees say customers understand the need for caution.
The recall, which applies to certain types of raw red tomatoes and products containing raw red tomatoes, was issued after some uncooked tomatoes were linked to food poisoning. More than 100 cases of salmonella have been initially linked to uncooked tomatoes, The Associated Press has reported.
The same strain of salmonella has been traced to 71 reports of the illness in Texas and New Mexico since April. Thirty-four people in 10 other states have been infected, and there have been two cases of the illness in Virginia, according to the AP. Tests are being conducted to determine if the Virginia cases are linked.
As a result, numerous fast-food chains and grocery stores have stopped serving tomatoes or offering them on their shelves. McDonald’s announced Monday that it has stopped serving sliced tomatoes on its sandwiches. However, its salads still contain grape tomatoes, which have not been linked to the salmonella outbreaks.
Manager Kim Trout of Subway on East Church Street in Martinsville said that it too temporarily has stopped serving tomatoes. Trout said some customers have complained, but, “they understand,” she said, adding, “nobody’s walked out because of it.”
Customers at Wendy’s in Ridgeway reacted in a similar manner, according to manager Jennifer Suarez. Most of the customers understand, she said.
Grocery stores also have had to pull tomatoes from their shelves. Darrell Leake, an employee in the produce department at Food Lion, located at the intersection of U.S. 220 and Rives Road, said store employees had to pull all large tomatoes and roma tomatoes early Monday morning.
Although fast-food chains and grocery stores have had to stop serving tomatoes, local produce stands still are selling them.
Carlton Hunt, produce manager at Collinsville Produce on Virginia Avenue, said he spoke to the store’s wholesaler Monday morning and was told his tomatoes are not on the recall list because they come from Florida.
Hunt said most of the “problem” tomatoes are from Mexico, Texas, New Mexico and California. All tomatoes at Collinsville Produce are from Florida, which, according to Hunt, is about to be placed on the FDA’s “safe list.”
“We try to buy as close to home as possible,” Hunt said, “and Florida is as close as we can get.”
Although Hunt said “everybody that comes through the door” has expressed concern regarding the recall, David Warrick of Collinsville has continued to buy tomatoes at Collinsville Produce. While filling up a bag of tomatoes Monday afternoon, Warrick expressed no concern about his purchase.
Ridgeway Farm Market also still is selling tomatoes, an employee said. Its tomatoes are also from Florida, and according to its wholesalers, they are safe to consume, she said.
Although Florida is not on the FDA’s safe list yet, the FDA’s Web site contains a list of states and countries whose tomatoes have not been associated with the bacteria. The list is updated regularly as more information is obtained.
The FDA encourages consumers not to eat tomatoes from unknown sources, the site said.
Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached are safe to consume from any source, according to the FDA.
The salmonella bacteria, which lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, typically is transmitted by eating food contaminated with animal feces, the AP reported.
Those infected with the bacteria typically experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, the FDA states. Those who have recently eaten raw tomatoes, or food containing raw tomatoes, and are experiencing those symptoms should contact their health care providers, the FDA urged.
The FDA’s Web site on the recall can be accessed at www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01848.html. |
| |
|
|
.jpg)
