Tomato Farmers' Sour Grapes

From April 10, 2008 until early July 2008, the rare Saintpaul serotype of Salmonella enterica caused at least 1,217 cases of salmonellosis food poisoning in 42 states throughout the United States and in the District of Columbia. It is the largest reported salmonellosis outbreak in the United States since 1985. [1]

Shortly after the outbreak, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) linked it to raw tomatoes. Growers across the nation were impacted. Florida farms the nation's largest tomato producers were hit the hardest.

It is obviously difficult to balance the needs of the produce industry and public safety in the midst of an outbreak. There have been at least 224 reported hospitalizations linked to the outbreak, it has caused complications that led to at least one death, and it may have contributed to one additional death. The CDC maintains that "it is likely many more illnesses have occurred than those reported." The CDC estimated the actual number of those stricken from the outbreak at 48,391. [1]

Florida tomato sales fell at least 40 percent, and growers lost millions, perhaps more than $100 million. The FDA cleared Florida tomatoes in June, but the damage was done, and it is far-reaching. Nationally, tomato growers and packers could lose more than $500 million. [2]

Tomato Farmers are seeing red. Growers may sue the FDA if the government does not cover their losses. Is their anger justified and what is the responsibility of the regulatory agencies?

Health officials have not indicated any direct evidence linking the particular Salmonella to any crops anywhere, tomato or otherwise. There have been no positive Salmonella cultures on any tested crops (aside from a load of basil from Mexico that was contaminated with a different strain of Salmonella not responsible for the outbreak.) [1]