TAINTED TOMATO OUTBREAK CONTINUES TO GROW; SEN. MENENDEZ ASKS FDA FOR ANSWERS

 Friday, June 27, 2008

Washington – Today, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration seeking answers to many unanswered questions about why over 600 people in 30 states – including four in New Jersey – have fallen ill after eating certain kinds of tomatoes.  The tomato scare started in mid-April, when 17 states reported 167 cases of salmonella poisoning, and still the FDA has not been able to pinpoint the source of the contamination. This produce is still on the market.

“How many people have to get sick before the FDA finally solves this problem or gives us answers?”  said Sen. Menendez.  “How is it that over a month since the initial outbreak, they still have not identified the source of the contamination? These are questions that families around our state and across the country are certainly concerned about, and I am pushing for answers.

“I am happy to say tomatoes grown here in our state are safe and I encourage New Jerseyans to buy locally-grown produce, but the fact remains four of our residents were made sick and they have no answers.  I not only want to make sure all Americans are safe from salmonella poisoning; I also want to ensure our tomato growers have their reputations intact and can avoid millions in losses.”

Sen. Menendez is asking the FDA to increase screenings and testing of imported tomatoes as well as the steps the federal agency is taking to prevent further infections.      

PDF of letter to Commissioner von Eschenbach – http://menendez.senate.gov/pdf/062708FDAtaintedtomatoesLetter.pdf

Text of letter to Commissioner von Eschenbach
June 27, 2008

Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D.
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, Maryland 20857

Dear Dr. von Eschenbach:

Earlier this week, three New Jersey residents, including a 7-year-old and a 2-year-old, tested positive for the salmonella strain spreading across this country through tainted tomatoes.  Over 600 people nationwide have grown ill from food they presumed to be safe.  As the agency tasked with maintaining the safety of our national produce supply, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must do a better job of answering the many questions that have been raised by this outbreak and preventing such outbreaks in the future.  On behalf of my constituents in New Jersey, I write today seeking the answers to these questions and a plan to prevent these instances in the future.

While I am happy to say none of these tainted tomatoes were grown in my home state, I am baffled as to why this produce is still on the market.  The first report of contamination was back in April.  Since then we have seen the number of infected consumers continue to grow from 228 at the beginning of the outbreak, to 383 a few weeks ago, to now over 600 men, women, and children across 30 states.  How many people have to get sick before the FDA finally solves this problem?  And how is it that over a month since the initial outbreak you still have not identified the source of the contamination?  The FDA must be able to provide the public with full and complete information on the food in question and how best to protect America’s families.

I am relying on your answers so that we can finally put an end to this problem and hopefully prevent similar outbreaks in the future.

My questions include:
• When did you first become aware of the salmonella outbreak in tomatoes?
• What steps have you taken or are you taking to finally find the source of this contamination?
• Is the FDA taking any steps to increase screenings or testing of imported tomatoes?
• Is it still safe for consumers to eat tomatoes from Florida and Mexico?
• What are the exact steps the FDA is taking to prevent further infections?

I thank you in advance for your response.  It is critical that you quickly address this problem to avoid any future illnesses – especially in children.  The longer these questions go unanswered, the more the public’s trust in our food safety system is shaken.