FDA Lifts Ban on Tomatoes
Ref: ‘Enjoy All Types of Fresh Tomatoes,’ F.D.A. Says
The Food and Drug Administration lifted its warning on raw tomatoes on July 17, 2008.
“This is not saying that anybody was absolved,” Acheson said. “What we’re saying right now is informing consumers that tomatoes that are currently in stores and coming on to the market — domestic and imported — are O.K.”
Note that the warning has recently added jalapenos, serrano peppers and cilantro to the list of possibilities. The agency is advising anyone with weak immune systems to stay away from both peppers. See: The Salmonella Outbreak Hits 1,000 Cases With a New Culprit
Recently, many clusters of illnesses have been identified in several states among persons who ate at restaurants. Most clusters involve fewer than five persons who contracted the illness. Three larger clusters have been intensively investigated. In one, illnesses were linked to consumption of an item containing fresh tomatoes and fresh jalapeño peppers. In the other two, illnesses were linked to an item containing only fresh jalapeño peppers and no other suspect item.
