Food safety alert: Salmonella and tomatoes

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(Jun. 9/08) The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued two alerts regarding recent illnesses caused by Salmonella that may be associated with certain types of uncooked, fresh tomatoes consumed in the United States.  Restaurant operators and consumers should be aware that tomatoes grown in Canada have not been implicated in the U.S. investigation and that there continues be no illnesses reported in Canada linked to the U.S. outbreak.

CFIA continues to work with partner organizations in Canada and the U.S. to monitor this situation.  If the investigation identifies a source of contamination and implicates tomatoes that may have entered distribution for export to Canada, the CFIA will take immediate action to advise the public and verify the effective removal of the product from the marketplace.

There are some simple steps that food handlers and consumers can take to reduce the risk of contracting Salmonella from tomatoes.  The CFIA advises that:

• Before cutting fresh tomato, wash it thoroughly with potable running water before you prepare and eat it.
• Before and after handling tomatoes wash your hands thoroughly, for at least 20 seconds, with warm water and soap.
  

For background information and ongoing updates, please consult the links below:

• CFIA Consumer Alert: Outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in the United States (June 6/08)
• CFIA Consumer Alert: Outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul in the United States (June 3/08)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Saintpaul
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Advice to Consumers 
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Salmonellosis Outbreak in Certain Types of Tomatoes
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Advice for Retailers, Restaurateurs and Food Service Operators

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