November 6 , 2006

ISSUE 1140

HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAY SALMONELLA OUTBREAK OVER; ILLNESSES LINKED TO TOMATOES SERVED IN RESTAURANTS

The recent outbreak of foodborne illnesses caused by Salmonella typhimurium that sickened 186 people in 21 states has been linked to tomatoes served in restaurants, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
 
In a conference call Friday (November 3) with industry leaders, FDA clearly stated that the outbreak is over and there is no ongoing risk to public health. The industry is not being asked to take any action. The illnesses occurred mainly from mid-September through early October.
 
FDA is conducting a case control study based on three of the clusters among the 186 cases: a cluster in Minnesota where consumers ate at a fast food restaurant, a cluster in Massachusetts where consumers ate at a deli, and a cluster in Connecticut where consumers ate at a Mexican restaurant.
 
FDA has begun a traceback to identify the source of the product.