Tomato Scare Has Local Restaurants Taking Precautions

EL PASO — Federal health officialsannounced salmonella food poisoning first linked to uncooked tomatoes has now spread to 16 states.

Investigations have turned up 56 cases in east Texas and 55 in New Mexico — including some in Dona Ana County. No cases have been reported in west Texas.

An additional 50 people have been sickened by the same “Saint Paul” strain from California to Virginia, officials added.

The source of the tomatoes responsible for the illnesses still has not been pinpointed, but health officials in Texas and New Mexico said tomatoes grown in the two states are safe to eat.

Here in El Paso — restaurants and grocery storessaid it’s atough call. Some are keeping tomatoes on the menu while others are saying they won’t take any chances.

The bin for chopped tomatoes at Avila’s Mexican Restaurant is empty. Owner Annette Avila Chaveztold ABC-7the risk just isn’t worth it. “Right now, all tomatoes are out. Until we know for sure, wewon’t take a chance,” she said.

“The Pico de Gallo won’t have them chopped up, the guacamole won’t have them, the gorditas and tacos won’t have it on top of them like they usually do,” added Chavez.

Many fast food restaurants inEl Paso — such as Sonic, Subway, Burger King and Mc Donald’s — have stopped serving tomatoes.

At Mando’s Produce in west El Paso, all tomatoes from California are off the table.

“If the FDA is approving the tomatoes that we’re having, there’s no reason for us to take them off our shelves, ” said Store Manager Carlos Lopez.

Despite all the precautions, some people think the tomato scare is overblown. “We had a whole bunch of them at a party last night, and we’re still here,” said one tomato lover.