Tomato Recall Impacts 11 States Including Indiana and Kentucky

An Indianapolis company has issued a recall for fresh produce sold in eleven states, including Indiana and Kentucky, due to potential Salmonella contamination.

Tomato Recall Impacts Multiple States

Salmonella is a harmful bacterium that can lead to severe infections, especially in the elderly, young children, and those who suffer from weakened immune systems. Even individuals who are otherwise healthy may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which can be bloody), fever, and abdominal pain if exposed to Salmonella.

Salmonella Poses Serious Health Risks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria, and, in rare cases, the bacteria can even spread to the bloodstream, causing more life-threatening conditions like arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. However, typical symptoms of Salmonella infection generally resolve in four to seven days.

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How Salmonella Spreads

The Food and Drug Administration explains that Salmonella can be spread in several ways. Consuming undercooked food, improper food handling, and improper hand washing most frequently contribute to the spread of Salmonella.

Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. Salmonella can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps, and when people eat raw or undercooked foods. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people. People who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animals to food if they do not practice proper hand washing hygiene before handling food. Pets can also spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella. - FDA

Recalled Tomatoes Came From Florida

Based in Indianapolis, Ray & Mascari Inc. is a "privately-owned family business." According to a press release from the FDA, it seems the company may have fallen short of its mission to "deliver safe, high-quality, defective-free tomatoes." Since the company repackages and distributes from growers, Ray & Mascari Inc may not be the ones responsible for the contaminated tomatoes. The affected tomatoes originated from Hanshaw & Capling Farms of Immokalee, Florida, before being repackaged in Indianapolis.

FDA.gov

Where the Contaminated Tomatoes Were Sold

The recalled products were sold in plastic clamshells that contain four tomatoes, and they were sold at Gordon Food Service Stores in the following states:

Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Michigan
Missouri
Mississippi
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Wisconsin

The plastic clamshells containing the contaminated tomatoes were marked with a "Vine Ripe Tomatoes" label that reads "Packed by Ray & Mascari Inc., Indianapolis, IN 46204."

What to Do If You Bought the Recalled Tomatoes

If you have these tomatoes in your home, you are encouraged to throw them away. They should not be consumed. For consumers that may have questions, or if you need to report an illness, you can contact Ray & Mascari Inc. by calling (317) 637-0234 Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 6 am and 5 pm Eastern Standard Time.

[SOURCE: FDA.gov]

17 Foods You Can Grow from Scraps

As grocery prices rise, and many are looking ahead to an uncertain future, there has been a lot of talk about self-sustainability. Particularly, there's a lot of buzz about growing your own food. If you're looking to save some cash at the register, you might consider growing one, some, or all of these foods that can be grown from scraps.

Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals

Source: Salmonella Warning Sparks Tomato Recall