FDA: Three states affected by tomatos inffected by salmonella
The FDA has classified the infection as Class I, which can endanger lives, affecting Georgia, North and South Carolina
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a tomato recall due to the risk of salmonella contamination. The agency classified the action as Class I, meaning there is a risk of death. In early May, Williams Farms Repack LLC, based in South Carolina, identified and stopped the distribution of several lots.
Although there is no information about the source of contamination, the lots were sold in North and South Carolina and Georgia. Some affected products are those with the Vine Ripe label, which were packed by Ray & Mascari Inc. They were sold at Gordon Food Service stores in 11 states.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that is common on raw meat and seafood, raw or undercooked eggs, unpasteurized dairy products, and fruits and vegetables. It is the most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacteria is responsible for 1.35 million infections, more than 26,000 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the country each year. The latest salmonella recall by the FDA involved cucumbers. As a result, 45 people were infected by Salmonella.
Elder people are on the high-risk group and the cases are spreading across the U.S. due to cucumbers infection. Photo: GLR Composition / CNN / Freepik / CDC
What are the symptoms of Salmonella?
Some symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, stomachache, and serious complications. Some people do not present any symptoms during the infection. However, it can be very dangerous because the risk of illness is not tracked.
There are also high-risk groups, such as children under 5 years old and elderly people. In these groups, symptoms are the same but tend to cause more complications and can lead to death. Salmonella can be spread through contaminated water, contact with animals that carry the bacteria, and by people with unwashed hands or through sexual contact.
