In fact, it’s gotten worse. Now the FDA isn’t even sure that tomatoes are the source of the salmonella food poisoning that’s accounted for more than 850 cases reported from 36 states, keeping in mind that for every reported case, an estimated 30 more have occurred.

Other foods may harbor salmonella food poisoning

Since tomatoes were deemed the likely culprit early in the outbreak, which began in late April, many grocers and restaurants have abandoned the vegetable, leading to losses of $100 million in discarded produce, says the National Restaurant Association. Now the food industry is balking at the FDA’s blame game with tomatoes, especially given the fact that the agency is starting to explore other foods as a potential poison source.

Some people who have suffered the digestive purging caused by salmonella food poisoning have eaten tomatoes which were combined with other things – and those other things may have been the source of their malady. For instance, some got sick after eating salsa or guacamole. But those foods also contain avocados, cilantro, green onions and jalapeno peppers -- not just tomatoes.

That’s why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has widened its search for salmonella food poisoning. But if the FDA and CDC fail to trace the source soon, and if the original blame of tomatoes proves false, then the public’s trust in government agencies to protect the food supply could be shattered, some say.

Salmonella food poisoning is tough to trace

Hampering the probe is the fact that indistinguishable foods of the same type often are mixed within the food chain, thanks to a common process called “repacking.” Most suppliers receive fresh produce from many farms, then mix it together, repack it and sell it to grocers depending on orders.

Since tomatoes aren’t marked as, say, bananas often are, that makes it extremely difficult at the retail level to trace the tomato back to the dirt in which it was grown.

Further, all 1,700 tomato samples that the FDA has collected in its probe so far have proven to be negative: no salmonella. And even if tomatoes are proven guilty, that doesn’t pinpoint the exact source of the vile veggies. The FDA believes the outbreak originated in Mexico or Florida, which are extremely large food-producing areas. So the salmonella food poisoning origin is far from being pinned down.

Yet the FDA does claim to have determined the safe origins of tomatoes found free of salmonella. With that in mind, Fiesta, Kroger, Randalls and HEB grocers in Houston have begun re-stocking their shelves with some red Roma, round red and raw red plum tomatoes. Those are the tomato types most linked to salmonella, but these were determined to have been grown in “safe” states.

Salmonella food poisoning lawyers can help

Meanwhile, Americans continue to get sick and suffer – and there’s no end in sight. But eventually the culprits should be found, and accountability – not just misery – will come into play.

If you or a loved one has suffered salmonella food poisoning, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates for a Houston salmonella food poisoning lawyer. The firm offers a free case evaluation, and its Houston salmonella food poisoning lawyers can work hard to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Also, Jim S. Adler & Associates has offices at City Place Building, 2711 North Haskell Ave., Suite 2100 LB40, Dallas, Texas 75204-2887;  San Pedro Plaza, 7330 San Pedro Ave., Suite 700, San Antonio, Texas 78216-6237; and Bank of America, 12605 East Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77015-5619 (serving Channelview, Texas).