6.5.2008 9:44 AM

Salmonella Outbreak Update

Number of Cases Growing, as Stores Start Pulling Produce from Shelves

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Photo: Istock

By Annie Bell Muzaurieta

The number of salmonella cases linked to raw tomatoes continues to grow as investigators scramble to confirm the source of the outbreak, according to the Dallas Morning News. State health officials in Texas believe raw tomatoes are the likely source of the bacterial infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration suggested that raw red plum, red Roma or round red tomatoes are most likely the culprit.

Meanwhile, grocery stores are reacting to the outbreak. According to the Austin Business Journal, H.E. Butt Grocery Co. and Whole Foods Markets Inc. have pulled fresh Roma and large field-grown tomatoes after the salmonella warning was issued.

HEB removed the product from all of its 150 stores, and Whole Foods has also removed tomatoes without attached vines or stems from its more than 270 stores.

In addition, Canada is paying attention to the situation. Though 57 cases of salmonella poisoning were reported in New Mexico and Texas, investigators are looking into 30 other cases in 7 additional states.

If tomatoes are confirmed as the source of the contamination, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said it will remove them from the marketplace, according to CBC News.

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