EON

Texas Disease Occurrence Tied To Raw Tomatoes

Fort Bend County, Texas – There have been 21 people who have been infected with Salmonella since April 23rd in Texas.

State and Federal health officials believe that the cause of the Salmonella outbreak is linked with raw tomatoes.

Grocery Stores in the Harris County and Fort Bend country region have all been pulling their fresh raw tomatoes off their shelves.

The grocery store H-E-B chain has issued a region wide recall for tomatoes after a strain of salmonella was found on the surface of several groups of fresh raw tomatoes that were tested.

In addition Kroger grocery stores in Texas have also pulled their fresh raw tomatoes from local store shelves.

The strain of Salmonella involved is believed to be the Saint Paul strain. It has the same genetic makeup that has infected nearly 70 people nationwide, including people in New Mexico, Texas and elsewhere.

Other states believed to have Salmonella “Saint Paul” victims include Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, Idaho, Illinois and Indiana.

Authorities are advising people to wash all tomatoes under running water, and to avoid eating raw tomatoes at least for the current duration of this nationwide outbreak.