University, local restaurants stop serving tomatoes

Many local and on-campus restaurants have stopped serving raw tomatoes because of a nationwide warning released Saturday by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA linked an outbreak of salmonellosis, an illness caused by salmonella bacteria, to certain types of tomatoes. The current outbreak contains a rare strand of salmonella bacteria called Saintpaul. Preliminary data suggests that raw red plum tomatoes, raw red roma tomatoes or raw red round tomatoes are the cause of the outbreak, according to the FDA. Those types of tomatoes harvested from Arkansas, California, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas are safe to eat, according to the FDA. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with vines still attached and tomatoes grown at home are deemed safe for consumption, according to the FDA. David Pratka, director of retail operations, said LSU Dining stopped serving tomatoes Monday in dining halls, the Faculty Club and all University retail operations. Pratka said the University had three cases of tomatoes its produce provider, Capital City Produce, said were not affected. Pratka said the University refused Monday's shipment of tomatoes and will not serve tomatoes - with the exception of cherry tomatoes for the salad bar in Tiger Lair - until the FDA warning is lifted. Restaurants around the University that have pulled raw tomatoes include Burger King, Jack in the Box and the Subway on campus. Serrano's Salsa Company Manager Loan Hoang said Monday afternoon their establishment was unaware of the FDA warning and still continues to serve raw tomatoes. "We haven't heard anything from our produce company," Hoang said. Serrano's also receives its tomatoes from Capital City Produce. Louie's Cafe also has not pulled its raw tomatoes. But Fred Simonson, Louie's general manager, said the restaurant receives its tomatoes from a vendor who only sells tomatoes. Simonson said he will check with his vendor and then decide whether the restaurant will stop offering raw tomatoes. The Chimes on Highland also continues to serve raw tomatoes. No cases of salmonellosis have been reported in Louisiana, but 145 cases have been identified in 16 states since mid-April, with 56 cases reported in Texas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Salmonella causes illnesses such as diarrhea, fever or abdominal cramps. Infections usually resolve in five to seven days and often do not require treatment other than oral fluids, according to the CDC. The amount of time the FDA's investigation will take is unknown.

---- Contact Allen Womble at awomble@lsureveille.com