
A significant food safety alert is shaking kitchens across America this week. Federal health officials have announced a nationwide recall of multiple tomato varieties due to confirmed salmonella contamination. This urgent action follows lab tests linking these tomatoes to a growing outbreak of illnesses reported in 12 states. If you’ve purchased fresh tomatoes recently, especially specific bulk brands sold between May 15 and June 1, you need to check your fridge immediately.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed the recall after epidemiological and traceback investigations pinpointed tomatoes distributed by SunHarvest Farms as the outbreak’s source. At least 84 people have fallen ill, with 17 hospitalizations reported. Cases are concentrated in Midwestern and Southern states, including Texas, Ohio, and Georgia. Dr. Aaron Vance, a foodborne illness specialist at Johns Hopkins, explains: “Salmonella thrives in warm, moist conditions. Contamination often occurs through contaminated water or soil during growth or handling. Just a few bacteria can cause severe illness, especially in vulnerable groups.”
Affected products include SunHarvest Farms’ Roma, red round, and on-the-vine tomatoes sold in 2-pound plastic clamshell containers and 25-pound cardboard boxes. These were supplied to major grocery chains like Kroger, Publix, and Albertsons, with UPC codes 7-55581-40230-1 through 7-55581-40245-1. Consumers should look for “PLU 4559” or “SF” prefixes on stickers. The FDA stresses that cooking destroys salmonella, but raw tomatoes pose high risk.
Salmonella infections aren’t just uncomfortable—they can be life-threatening. Symptoms like fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhea typically emerge 6–72 hours after exposure. While most recover within a week, children, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals risk severe dehydration or bloodstream infections. The CDC estimates salmonella causes 1.35 million U.S. illnesses annually. In this outbreak, 40% of patients are children under 10. “Don’t dismiss stomach issues as a ‘bug,’” warns Dr. Lisa Monroe of the National Food Safety Coalition. “If symptoms include bloody stools or a fever over 102°F, seek medical help immediately.”
How did this happen? Traceback efforts led investigators to irrigation canals near SunHarvest’s Florida fields, where water samples tested positive for the outbreak strain. Contaminated water exposure during hot, rainy weather likely fueled bacterial growth. This mirrors a 2006 salmonella-tomato outbreak that sickened 183 people. Food safety expert Dr. Karen Wright notes: “Tomatoes’ thin skin and internal structure make them prone to absorbing pathogens. Once contaminated, washing rarely removes all bacteria.”
Retailers pulled affected stock within 24 hours of the FDA’s June 1 announcement. SunHarvest Farms has suspended shipments and launched internal audits. “We’re cooperating fully with regulators to address this,” CEO Michael Torres stated. “Our priority is protecting consumers.” The FDA is auditing supply chains and testing other farms using the same water sources.
If you have recalled tomatoes, discard them in a sealed container or return them to the store. Sanitize surfaces they touched with a bleach solution. For consumers, this recall underscores broader food safety gaps. A 2023 USDA study found only 32% of produce farmers test irrigation water weekly as recommended. Until systemic changes occur, experts advise high-risk groups to avoid raw tomatoes during outbreaks.
The FDA urges anyone experiencing symptoms to contact healthcare providers and report illnesses to local health departments. “Timely reporting helps us identify outbreaks faster,” says FDA Deputy Commissioner Dr. Rebecca Clarke. For real-time updates, consumers can bookmark the FDA’s tomato recall page or subscribe to food safety alerts via email.
Beyond immediate action, this incident highlights persistent vulnerabilities in fresh produce safety. Advocacy groups like Safe Tables Our Priority argue that the Food Safety Modernization Act’s water testing rules need stricter enforcement. “Farm water quality monitoring isn’t optional—it’s critical for prevention,” emphasizes food policy director Sarah Jennings.
For now, vigilance is key. Check your tomato purchases against recall lists, and when in doubt, throw them out. Health officials expect recall-related illnesses to taper off by mid-June but caution that new cases may emerge due to shelf life and reporting delays. As summer approaches—peak season for both tomatoes and foodborne illnesses—this outbreak serves as a stark reminder: food safety starts long before produce reaches our tables.