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Restaurants take precautions with tomatoes

By Asher Fusco

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Finding a plump, juicy tomato in Lawrence these days might be tough because of a national salmonella outbreak, but it’s possible.

The outbreak across 23 states was responsible for 228 infections and 25 hospitalizations. The outbreak forced establishments such as McDonalds, KU Dining Services and Rudy’s Pizzeria to remove tomatoes from some items on the menus. But stores such as Local Burger and Checkers Foods are still offering tomatoes grown in areas approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

“We’ve been happily reassuring our customers that they can eat our tomatoes,” Marissa Massoni, Local Burger employee, said. “It’s one of the benefits of buying ingredients locally.”

The FDA has not confirmed the source of the contaminated tomatoes. The FDA has cleared tomatoes from 39 states including Kansas. According to the FDA, locally grown tomatoes are not always safe, but Massoni said Local Burger’s supplier in Linwood was not affected by the infection.

The sources of contamination are red Roma, red plum and red round tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes with the vine attached have not been connected with any illnesses.

Checkers, which gets its Roma tomatoes from Arkansas through Kansas City-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, posted signs by its tomato bins to reassure shoppers. Despite the store’s extra effort, consumers are not lining up to purchase the vegetables.

“There has been some hesitation and our sales haven’t been as strong,” Smith said. “Even though our Roma tomatoes are safe, we didn’t order any more because we knew we wouldn’t sell them.”

Massoni said she noticed more Local Burger diners leaving uneaten tomatoes on their plates, but she said consumers were mostly happy about the safe vegetables.

“The tomatoes involved in the outbreak aren’t likely to be coming from our source,” Massoni said. “Our tomatoes definitely will not make you vomit.”

The salmonella outbreak has prompted cautionary measures at some other Lawrence establishments.

At The Market food court in the Kansas Union, Brellas Sandwiches and Wraps has held its sliced tomatoes in storage since last Monday. Cherry tomatoes are still available at the Garden Gourmet salad bar.

“None of our tomatoes were infected,” Steve Walker, server at Brellas, said. “We’re holding them as a precaution to make sure nobody gets sick. We haven’t had many complaints.”

Rudy’s Pizzeria started replacing tomatoes on its gourmet pizzas with other ingredients. Rudy’s is serving tomato sauce as usual. McDonald’s has left sliced tomatoes off its sandwiches since last week as a precaution.

— Edited by Mandy Earles

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