Salmonela and Tomato Scare if

Salmonela and Tomato Scare

If you were looking yesterday for your favorite Whooper at Burger King, the taste must have surprised you. There were no tomatoes in it. This is something most Florida dwellers will have to get used to for the next month or so. The cause: salmonella and tomato scare.

Food and Drug Administration announced in the weekend that there is a worrisome concern about the spread of the salmonella disease among the tomato crops in Florida. Safety measures have been taken to analyze all sources of tomatoes which come from the fields of Florida as well as Mexico and other close by regions. Still, until a proper decision would be taken, the customers will have to deal with a shortage of tomato supply.

Specialists are worried about a possible spread of the salmonella virus through tomatoes. Their concerns are not without a strong argument. Since mid April there have been 145 reported cases of salmonella in 16 different states of the U.S., most of the cases being reported in Texas and New Mexico. The authorities in Florida have decided to step in and deal with the situation until any case is reported in this state as well.

Salmonella is an unusual type of bacteria causes fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Those with a weak immune system are most likely at risk. So far, no critical casualties have been reported, yet the FDA wants to take the safety of the consumer first, and their pleasure for taste last.

There are several states which have yet to be marked as contaminated regions, including Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Yet, for Florida it is a major setback as it represents one of the most important sources of fresh grown tomatoes in the country. Stores in Georgia who relied on the production of tomatoes in Florida are now reluctant to purchase tomatoes from the "Sunshine State." Brenda Reid, spokeswoman for Publix stores in Georgia acknowledge this fact and pointed out that "the timing is not good. We're heavy into the growing season in Florida" (Gilbert, 2008). This will most likely cause serious disturbances in the supply chain all over the region.

The effects of the FDA decision are visible from the early hours of the morning whether you are in a supermarket or a coffee shop. There are no more round red, Roma and plum tomatoes on the shelves or in the menus as Publix supermarkets decided to take them off the market regardless of their provenience. The measure was motivated by the fact that "it's not based on geography. We've chosen to pull them all, as a safety precaution" Reid pointed out (Gilbert, 2008).

Some of the major culinary attractions such as Burger King, Subway, Taco Bell and Chipotle Mexican Grill, or McDonald's chose to respect the FDA recommendations and take out tomatoes from their list of ingredients.

The most affected restaurants however are not those who can afford to leave out tomatoes, but rather those that largely depend on the fresh juice of the tomatoes such as Italian restaurants. Gainesville is on high alert as well. The concern of salmonella determined Pasquale's, one Italian restaurant to adapt to this situation and use tomato sauce packed in July and August, while withdrawing the sandwiches that needed fresh tomatoes as a traditional ingredient.