Tomatoes are a summer-time favorite on American dinner tables, but this weekend they’re the focus of a multi-state salmonella outbreak.

Sixteen states have reported people sickened after eating two varieties of raw tomatoes that were grown in Texas and New Mexico.

The Centers for Disease Control and the Food & Drug Administration are looking into the situation, along with other state agencies.

The outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections points to large tomatoes, including Roma and round red, as the source.

Since mid-April, 145 people in 16 states have been affected: Arizona (12 persons), California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (17), Indiana (1), Kansas (3), New Mexico (39), Oklahoma (3), Oregon (2), Texas (56 persons), Utah (1), Virginia (2), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3).

Patients range in age from 1 to 82 years, and half are female. At least 23 people were hospitalized, and there have been no deaths reported in the outbreak.

According to the CDC, most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Infection is usually diagnosed by culture of a stool sample. The illness usually lasts 4 – 7 days. Although most people recover without treatment, severe infections may occur. Infants, elderly persons, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness.

The FDA is advising U.S. consumers to limit their tomato consumption to those that are not the likely source of this outbreak. These include cherry tomatoes; grape tomatoes; tomatoes sold with the vine still attached; tomatoes grown at home; and raw red Roma, red plum, and round red tomatoes from specific sources listed on the FDA website.

Consumers everywhere are advised to:

• Refrigerate within 2 hours or discard cut, peeled, or cooked tomatoes.
• Avoid purchasing bruised or damaged tomatoes and discard any that appear spoiled.
• Thoroughly wash all tomatoes under running water.
• Keep tomatoes that will be consumed raw separate from raw meats, raw seafood, and raw produce items.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and counter tops with hot water and soap when switching between types of food products.