Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Expands Beyond Tomatoes

With 869 folks confirmed ill in the nationwide salmonella outbreak, the FDA is changing gears and looking at more than just tomato growers in hope to find the contamination source. Other produce seems to be one of the leads the FDA is following. Which produce? Apparently, that’s a secret.

The Associated Press reports that “items commonly served with fresh tomatoes is the only hint Food and Drug Administration food safety chief Dr. David Acheson would give, calling it “irresponsible” to point a finger until he has more evidence that some other food really deserves the extra scrutiny.”

Probably a good move on one hand, since the FDA is already facing a lot of heat from the produce industry over the loss of millions of dollars attributed to pointing a figure too soon at tomatoes. But from a consumer standpoint, if there is reason to believe a different type of product might send familes to the hospital, folks need to know about it.