Things we do for ourselves die with us; what we do for others lives on and on
Don't Eat These Tomatoes!
H.E. Butt Grocery Co. and Whole Foods Market Inc. have removed fresh Roma and large field-grown round tomatoes from store shelves across the state after health officials linked a salmonella outbreak to eating uncooked tomatoes.
Texas Department of State Health Services officials said there have been 21 confirmed cases of salmonella in Texas since mid-April. Most of these cases have been in Harris, Fort Bend, Dallas, Hays, Tarrant and Cameron counties. No deaths have been reported.
State health officials believe the consumption of raw tomatoes is the likely source of the bacterial infection.
San Antonio-based HEB has stores in 150 communities in Texas and Mexico.
"Ensuring the safety and quality of products sold in our stores is a top priority for HEB," said Winell Herron, HEB's group vice president of public affairs and diversity. "We continue to monitor the situation closely and will return the product to our stores once it is absolutely safe for our customers."
Austin-based Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI) has also voluntarily pulled those tomatoes without attached vines or stems from the shelves of its more than 270 stores.
"Additionally, the company's prepared foods departments at all stores are pulling these varieties from salads, sandwiches and other locations in the stores where tomatoes are used fresh," said Whole Foods spokesperson Kate Lowery. "We have placed signage in the produce and prepared foods departments alerting shoppers of the salmonella issue. Since officials do not yet know the source, it is impossible to know what growers are affected at this time so we are taking extra precaution until we know more."
Customers who bought tomatoes are urged to cook the produce at 145 degrees to kill any possible salmonella, thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water, separate tomatoes from raw meat and seafood, wash cutting boards and countertops with hot soap and water when switching between types of foods and remember to wash hands thoroughly before preparing or serving food.
Salmonella symptoms include headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/06/02/daily54.html
Well, I for one don't eat tomoatoes, but for all you tomato lovers out there watch what you eat!
Homer
Texas Department of State Health Services officials said there have been 21 confirmed cases of salmonella in Texas since mid-April. Most of these cases have been in Harris, Fort Bend, Dallas, Hays, Tarrant and Cameron counties. No deaths have been reported.
State health officials believe the consumption of raw tomatoes is the likely source of the bacterial infection.
San Antonio-based HEB has stores in 150 communities in Texas and Mexico.
"Ensuring the safety and quality of products sold in our stores is a top priority for HEB," said Winell Herron, HEB's group vice president of public affairs and diversity. "We continue to monitor the situation closely and will return the product to our stores once it is absolutely safe for our customers."
Austin-based Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI) has also voluntarily pulled those tomatoes without attached vines or stems from the shelves of its more than 270 stores.
"Additionally, the company's prepared foods departments at all stores are pulling these varieties from salads, sandwiches and other locations in the stores where tomatoes are used fresh," said Whole Foods spokesperson Kate Lowery. "We have placed signage in the produce and prepared foods departments alerting shoppers of the salmonella issue. Since officials do not yet know the source, it is impossible to know what growers are affected at this time so we are taking extra precaution until we know more."
Customers who bought tomatoes are urged to cook the produce at 145 degrees to kill any possible salmonella, thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water, separate tomatoes from raw meat and seafood, wash cutting boards and countertops with hot soap and water when switching between types of foods and remember to wash hands thoroughly before preparing or serving food.
Salmonella symptoms include headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2008/06/02/daily54.html
Well, I for one don't eat tomoatoes, but for all you tomato lovers out there watch what you eat!
Homer
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