Texas Grocers Pull Tomatoes Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Two of the largest retail grocery chains in Texas have pulled most fresh tomatoes from their shelves and from their prepared-foods stations in order to reduce the risk of Salmonella infection that has made 21 Texans sick since mid-April. The HE Butt Grocery Co. (HEB) and Whole Foods Markets have removed Roma and large, round, field-grown tomatoes from their stores in response to a health alert issued Tuesday by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Tomatoes and salmonella The exact source of the Salmonella contamination is still unknown but state health officials consider the raw tomatoes the most likely source at this time.

An HEB spokesperson says none of their customers has reported any signs of illness but the company sees the removal of these tomatoes as a means of ensuring quality and food safety. Whole Foods has removed all tomatoes that do not have a vine or stem attached and has placed signage in their produce and prepared-foods sections advising customers of the health alert. HEB stores are located in 150 communities throughout Texas and in Mexico. Whole Foods has more than 270 stores worldwide.

Consumers are urged to cook tomatoes before eating them and to avoid them raw in salads, sandwiches, and other foods. Other measures for safe food handling include a thorough washing of all produce before preparation and consumption, never allowing fresh produce to come in contact with raw meats and seafoods, thoroughly washing knives, counter tops, and cutting boards with soap and water when switching between meats, seafoods, and fresh produce, and washing hands before handling or serving foods.

The Sustainable Food Center, which operates two local farmers markets in the Austin area, urges consumers to determine the origin of all foods before purchase and to buy local whenever possible to eliminate many potential food safety risks. The center also advises consulting local store managers as to food origins and safety and sanitation measures routinely taken, saying the consumer has a bigger impact on an individual store than most people might think.

Filed under: Diet, Infectious Disease, Prevention, Recalls