Tomato warning for Texoma
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Posted: 10:41 PM Jun 4, 2008
Tomato warning for Texoma
SHERMAN, TX - Certain tomatoes being sold in Texas are now under an FDA warning for possible Salmonella contamination. Mystic Matthews joins us now with precautions local grocers and restaurants are taking to keep you safe.
Reporter: Mystic Matthews
Email Address: mystic.matthews@kxii.com
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SHERMAN, TX - Certain tomatoes being sold in Texas are now under an FDA warning for possible Salmonella contamination and it’s affecting some people in north Texas. Mystic Matthews joins us now with precautions local grocers and restaurants are taking to keep you safe.

Although health officials say the Salmonella outbreak is in its early stages, five cases have been reported in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Closer to home, local businesses and consumers say they aren’t taking any risks.

"Like anybody else, I don't want to get anything that will make my family sick. I have a young daughter and I don't want her to be sick, I don't want to be sick. Nobody wants to be sick, "says shopper Carolyn Dupre.

Most grocery stores have already pulled the tomatoes the f-d-a says might be contaminated, like red plum, red roma and red round tomatoes just as a precaution.

Dupre says, "That shows responsibility and that's a good thing."

Consumers like Dupre are taking notice and so are people who work with fruits and vegetables everyday, like Ashley Edwards at La Mesa.

"As of right now, we don't have any bad tomatoes that are part of the recall. But as with other restaurants here in Sherman, we're watching to make sure nobody gets sick within our restaurants," says Edwards.

The FDA says the bacteria in these tomatoes are an uncommon type of Salmonella called Saint Paul. They don't know the source, but they do know that in addition to Texas, people in New Mexico have gotten sick. They are also investigating possible cases in seven other states.

Dallas County Health Officials say signs of Salmonella poisoning can last anywhere from 4 to 7 days.

"Symptoms include headache, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes vomiting" says Dr. Wendy Chung.

Dupre says even though it’s not a recall yet, she's still going to be careful.

“I'm going to be very, very particular and I'm going to look at them and check them out. I know things like this happen sometime, but if you get information in time, it prevents illness."

Officials say tomatoes still on the vine, or small kinds like cherry or grape tomatoes are not considered at risk for the possible outbreak.

Any tomatoes grown at home should be okay as well.


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