Jalepenos Not Tomatoes

I feel sorry for all of the tomato farmers out there who lost millions of dollars collectively because of the recent salmonella tomato scare. Now the FDA is thinking that tomatoes were not the culprit, but rather peppers.

The FDA announced earlier this week that a jalapeno pepper tested positive for the Salmonella Saintpaul strain that caused the outbreak. They never did find a tomato that tested positive. Originally they thought tomatoes were the culprit, but then they realized that many people who were getting sick did not have a link to tomatoes.

The pepper they found was found in a distribution center in Texas from a pepper grown in Mexico. The Texas distributor has recalled the contaminated peppers and products made with the peppers in the US.

The FDA is still advising that you avoid eating raw jalapeno or serrano peppers.

Labels: peppers, salmonella, Tara Gidus, tomatoes

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Slice Up the Tomatoes

The FDA has officially lifted the warnings on tomatoes! Hooray!

As you probably know, the FDA had a warning against eating certain tomatoes for risk of salmonella. The outbreak sickened 1,200 people in 42 states with over 200 of those hospitalized. They never did find signs of the salmonella strain on actual tomatoes, but they insist that the investigation pointed to tomatoes and think there were tainted tomatoes even though none tested positive. The FDA still has a warning on serrano and jalapeno peppers for people with weakened immune systems and the elderly. So be careful of fresh salsas.

Since it is still the middle of summer, it is a great time to make tasty salads with tomatoes and add them to wraps and sandwiches. Slice some up this weekend with some fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of balsamic topped with fresh basil. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Labels: salmonella, Tara Gidus, tomatoes

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More Than Tomatoes in Salmonella Outbreak

A few new foods have been added to the investigation around the salmonella outbreak in the US. Since April there have been 943 cases in 40 states of the same salmonella strain (salmonella saintpaul). While tomatoes were the original suspect, officials are now looking at salsa and the ingredients in fresh salsa as potentially contaminated.

Now added to the suspect list:
Fresh Cilantro
Jalepeno Peppers
Serrano Peppers
Still on the list:
Red Plum Tomatoes
Red Roma Tomatoes
Round Red Tomatoes

What does this mean?
You do not have to completely avoid all fresh fruits and vegetables. If you have a compromised immune system, you want to be extra careful with all fresh produce and meats. However, the CDC recommends the following to minimize risk.

Consumers everywhere are advised to:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes.
• Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.

Labels: salmonella, Tara Gidus, tomatoes

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Tainted Tomatoes

By now you have no doubt heard about the salmonella outbreak link to certain tomatoes. The FDA is recommending that everyone avoid eating raw red plum, red Roma, and red round tomatoes and products containing these tomatoes. Grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and tomatoes on the vine are fine for consumption. Cooked tomatoes are also fine, no matter what the type. If you cook your tomatoes to 145 degrees, that will kill salmonella.

You cannot see, taste, or smell salmonella or any other bacteria, so washing all produce well is always a good idea. In fact follow these guidelines for all produce:

1. Always wash your hands with warm, soapy water before preparing or eating food. Wash your hands anytime you have gone to the bathroom, cleaned up a pet's waste, or changed a baby's diaper.
2. Wash all surfaces that the produce will touch. If you put unwashed produce on the counter, wash it afterwards.
3. Wash produce under cold running water. Even if you are going to peel it, wash it before you peel it. Rub the produce well with your hands. The action of rubbing it is what will remove the bacteria and the water will wash it down the sink.
4. Do not use the same cutting board for meats and produce. Wash all cutting boards well before and after use.

What is salmonella?
It is a bacteria that is found in feces in animals and humans. Many people think they have the "stomach flu" but it really is foodborne illness. The symptoms include fever, diarrhea, fatigue, and cramping. People who have impaired immune systems, young children, and elderly are at higher risk of getting foodborne illnesses.

Eat Them
Tomatoes are a nutritious food, full of important nutrients like Vitamin C, beta carotene, potassium, fiber, and lycopene. Don't avoid them just because of this outbreak. Choose the tomato varieties on the safe list, or simply used canned, jarred, or cooked tomatoes.

Image courtesy of JJ's Vegetable Garden

Labels: food poisoning, salmonella, Tara Gidus, tomatoes

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