Bad-tomato outbreak spreads to more states

June 13, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- While U.S. food-safety and health inspectors haven't identified the source of salmonella-tainted tomatoes, the outbreak is spreading.

Government officials said Thursday the number of reported illnesses has risen to 228 people in 23 states, compared with 167 illnesses in 17 states at the start of the week. States where new cases have been reported are Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Tennessee and Vermont.

In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Dr. Ian Williams of the Center for Disease Control characterized the bad-tomato outbreak as "ongoing."

The FDA has been urging consumers to avoid eating or handling raw red plum, raw red Roma, and raw red round tomatoes unless they come from a U.S. state or country deemed safe by government food inspectors. The list includes 28 states and 7 countries. See list.

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