Salmonella probe to extend focus beyond tomatoes

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» 102 days ago: Salmonella probe to extend focus beyond tomatoes «

104 days ago: Tainted tomatoes sicken 25 in Md.

114 days ago: Tainted tomatoes sicken 10 in Maryland

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117 days ago: Latest salmonella outbreak blamed on incapable FDA

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124 days ago: Restaurants pull tomatoes over Salmonella worries

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Federal officials are expanding the investigation into the salmonella outbreak to other produce commonly served with tomatoes, but stopped short of giving examples.

“Tomatoes aren’t off the hook, [but] there is clearly a need to think beyond tomatoes,” said Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The broader probe comes as the outbreak reaches beyond the third month and 869 people nationwide have reported salmonella saintpaul infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Twenty-nine Marylanders have been sickened by salmonella, which can cause fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The outbreak initially was linked to raw plum, Roma and round tomatoes.

Identifying other suspected produce would be “irresponsible,” because it’s just the beginning of the broader investigation, Acheson said.

The advice to consumers hasn’t changed, and if new information about possible sources emerges, consumers will be notified, he said.

Early cases showed a strong likelihood that those who became ill ate raw tomatoes, said Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of the CDC’s division of food-borne, bacterial and mycotic diseases.

Federal officials are focusing on the 179 people who were sickened after June 1, because those cases occurred after the FDA’s recommendation.

FDA has activated its Food Emergency Response Network, which calls on local labs to expand their investigations into the food-borne illness and increases the response capability.

Officials also are considering the creation of an interagency task force to ensure food protection efforts are better coordinated.

Maryland health officials are following the federal guidelines to look beyond tomatoes, which could include “guacamole and salsa and anything else that may be consumed by the various cases we may have,” said Karen Black, spokeswoman for the state health department.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com

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» 102 days ago: Salmonella probe to extend focus beyond tomatoes «

104 days ago: Tainted tomatoes sicken 25 in Md.

114 days ago: Tainted tomatoes sicken 10 in Maryland

117 days ago: Tomatoes are ‘the heart of Italian cuisine’

117 days ago: Latest salmonella outbreak blamed on incapable FDA

123 days ago: Tomato industry copes with salmonella

124 days ago: Restaurants pull tomatoes over Salmonella worries