Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: The Safe List

by Sean Kelly on June 17th, 2008

Salmonella incidence: 277 reported cases and at least 43 hospitalizations reported since mid-April

Types of tomatoes not linked to any illnesses: cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes with the vine still attached.

Worst bets*: Oklahoma Roma. Anything from Hulk Hogan’s garden.

Best bet: Cherry tomatoes imported from Brussels eaten with the vine attached.

FDA’s Secret Salmonella restaurant chain: If we told you, we’d have to feed you an Oklahoma Roma.

FDA’s list of safe tomato-growing states:

Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida (partial)**

Georgia
Hawaii
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey

New Mexico
New York
Nebraska
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Baja, CA

Other:
Belgium
Canada
Dominican Republic
Guatemala
Israel
Netherlands
Puerto Rico

* that rhymes

**Florida’s safe counties: Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Suwannee, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Sarasota, Highlands, Pasco, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Charlotte. Pinellas County is NOT on the safe list; continue to avoid tomatoes from Hulk Hogan’s garden until further notice.

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