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    Since April, 167 people in 17 states have been infected with Salmonella saintpaul, which is a rare and virulent type of salmonella.  23 out of the 167 have been hospitalized for the illness and one man has died due to complications.

According to the USFDA the outbreak is linked to particular types of raw red tomatoes and product containing these tomatoes.  Raw red plum, raw red Roma, and raw Round red tomatoes should all be avoided until further notice.  However, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and those that are home-grown appear to be safe.  All tomatoes should be washed carefully before consuming.

So if you can’t live without these delectable red wonders, opt for locally or home-grown tomatoes instead of store bought.  However, the key to avoid illness is to wash the tomatoes well, all of the tomatoes should be washed before removing the hull or the stem.

Several food establishements have taken steps to avoid further salmonella outbreaks by removing them from the menu.  McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, Burger King, Krogers, Outback Steakhouse, and Subway have all voluntarily removed red plum, red Roma, and round tomatoes grown from particular states and countries from their shelves and menus.

Salmonella is a food borne illness in the form of bacteria.  It often causes severe gastro-intestinal illnesses, including bloody diarrhea. About 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the US each year.  Many mild cases go undiagnoses, so the actual number of cases could be up to 30 times greater.  About 600 people die each year due to salmonella infections.  Infection risk is greater in the summer due to the warmth and the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Children and elderly people are most at risk for serious complications due to weakened immune systems.

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