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Local Tomatoes Considered Safe

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TBO Staff Report

Published: June 21, 2008

Even though federal officials now say certain areas of the state are safe, Florida tomato growers are feeling the effects of the recent salmonella outbreak with fields of tomatoes still to be picked.

The Food and Drug Administration has said that parts of Mexico and Florida are the most likely sources of the contamination because they were supplying most of the nation's tomatoes when the outbreak began in mid-April. Plus, the FDA hasn't cleared parts of Florida for tomatoes grown then.

According to its website, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, Hernando, Sarasota, Hernando and Citrus counties are among areas where tomatoes are considered safe.

Rob Meade with Mulberry-based East Coast Brokers & Packers says the scare will cause the industry to lose hundreds of millions of dollars. Growers say boxes of tomatoes cleared for sale are being held up in warehouses as demand decreases.

The FDA recommends consuming raw red plum, raw red Roma, or raw red round tomatoes only if grown and harvested from the areas that have not been associated with the outbreak.

The FDA also lists Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Suwannee, Hamilton, Hardee, DeSoto, Highlands and Charlotte as areas not affected by the outbreak.

Stay with TBO.com for updates.

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