The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDH) issued an alert today linking a recent Salmonella outbreak in the state to uncooked tomatoes. "We have determined that eating uncooked tomatoes is the likely source of this outbreak, and we hope to provide more specific information about the type of tomatoes as the investigation proceeds," said New Mexico Health Secretary Dr. Alfredo Vigil in the NMDH alert.

In its statement, the New Mexico Department of Health recommended the following:

• Individuals and restaurants that bought tomatoes from Walmart in Las Cruces or Farmington, Lowe's in Las Cruces, or Bashas' in Crownpoint since May 3 should not eat them uncooked.
• Always wash tomatoes before eating.
• Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with tomatoes.
• Cook food thoroughly to kill Salmonella.

NMDH reported 31 illnesses and no deaths related to this outbreak. New Mexico health officials are working with Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and health officials in other states to determine the scope of the outbreak.

Information about the causes and symptoms of Salmonella can be found on the FDA and CDC websites.General safe food handling procedures canbe found at thePartnership forFood Safety Education.

United Fresh staff will keep you updated as information isavailable and confirmed.

Amy Philpott, Vice President, Communications, aphilpott@unitedfresh.org.

Dr. David Gombas, Senior Vice President of Food Safety & Technology, dgombas@unitedfresh.org.