Tomatoes sold in Illinois stores recalled for potential salmonella contamination
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall Saturday for certain lots of tomatoes sold in 11 states, including Illinois, for potential salmonella contamination.
The tomatoes are from Indianapolis-based business Ray & Mascari Inc., which announced a recall Friday after the company it received them from, Hanshaw & Capling Farms, notified company officials of possible salmonella in their facility.
The now-recalled tomatoes were sold by Gordon Food Service Stores in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Gordon Food Service has a store in Fairview Heights, as well as one in Maplewood, Mo.
The recalled tomatoes are 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes packaged in clam shell containers (20 ounces, 1 pound and 4 ounces or 567 grams) with Universal Product Code 7 96553 20062 1, and a master case label with Lot RM250424 15250B or Lot RM250427 15250B, the recall said.
No illnesses associated with the tomatoes have been reported as of Saturday, according to the recall. Officials advise those who have purchased the tomatoes to throw them away.
You can call Ray & Mascari Inc. at 1-317-637-0234 between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m. Central Daylight Time Monday through Saturday with any questions or reports of illness.
What to know about Salmonella
Salmonella bacteria causes about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to CDC estimates, and contaminated food is the source of most of the illnesses.
Diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps are some of the most common symptoms, according to the CDC, and people may also experience nausea, vomiting or a headache. Symptoms usually appear sometime between six hours and six days after infection and last for four to seven days.
The CDC recommends calling your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
Diarrhea that is not improving after more than three days
Bloody stool
Vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
Dehydration signs, such as dry mouth and throat, dizziness when standing up or producing very little urine
While most salmonella infections are mild, according to the World Health Organization, the bacteria can be life-threatening. The agency reports 60% to 80% of all salmonellosis cases are not recognized as part of a known outbreak and are classified as sporadic cases, or are not diagnosed as such at all.
Children and older patients are more at risk for severe illness due to dehydration resulting from salmonella infection, according to the WHO.
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