Nearly two weeks into the outbreak of salmonella-tainted tomatoes, and U. S. health officials have yet to pinpoint the source.

Both the Food & Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control are investigating the outbreak that dates back to mid-April.

 Since then, there have been 228 cases of salmonellosis nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul, an uncommon form of the illness that has been associated with commercially produced tomatoes. At least 25 hospitalizations have been reported. The CDC says there have been no deaths in the outbreak.

For the time being, the FDA advises consumers to eat tomatoes grown only in the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida (counties of: Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Suwannee, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto, Sarasota, Highlands, Pasco, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Charlotte — but only with a certificate from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

For more information, read the CDC’s FAQ on Salmonella in tomatoes:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/saintpaul/faq.html