Florida and Mexico likely sources of salmonella outbreak

PARTS of Florida and Mexico were supplying "the vast majority" of tomatoes sold when the salmonella outbreak began in April and thus remain leading suspects, the Food and Drug Administration said on Friday.

"The logical assumption would be that Florida or Mexico are the most likely source," said Dr David Acheson, the agency's food safety chief. "But we have not simply shifted the focus to those two places."

Some 228 illnesses in 23 states have been linked to salmonella-tainted tomatoes, and the US government is urging consumers across America to avoid raw red plum, red Roma or red round tomatoes unless they were grown in specific states or countries that the FDA has cleared of suspicion.

Nine people became sick after eating at one as yet unidentified restaurant chain, which might help to pin down suppliers. Meanwhile, Ohio has reported its first three cases of salmonella poisoning linked to tomatoes.