The Food and Drug Administration has lifted its advice to consumers to avoid eating certain types of fresh tomato after failing to find any evidence linking the product to the ongoing outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul.
In a statement, the FDA said that following a lengthy investigation it had determined that tomatoes now available on the domestic market are not associated with the current outbreak.
US and Mexican producers welcomed the FDA’s decision which came at a critical time as they are in the process of seeding tomatoes for the autumn crop. Sales of the implicated tomato varieties have plummeted in recent weeks and the industry warns that will take some time before demand recovers fully.
Meanwhile, the FDA’s consumer advisory on raw jalapeño and serrano peppers issued on 9 July remains in place. It warns people in high risk categories, such as the elderly, infants and people with compromised immune systems, to avoid eating these types of peppers.
David Acheson, the FDA’s associate commissioner for foods, said the agency was currently in Mexico investigating pepper packhouses.
The United Fresh Produce Association is urging the FDA to complete its investigation of peppers as quickly as possible to that the problem can be identified or these products can be cleared as well.
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