Many varieties of tomatoes disappear from markets, restaurants

Certain raw tomatoes are disappearing from salsa bars, produce sections, service delis, pizza parlors and even McDonald's restaurants in the Seattle area and across the nation as federal food-safety officials try to stop the spread of an unusual salmonella strain that has sickened people in 16 states, including Washington.

At least 167 cases of salmonellosis caused by the bacteria Salmonella Saintpaul have been reported since mid-April, including a teenager in Okanogan County. The Food and Drug Administration has linked the outbreak to three kinds of raw red tomatoes but is still trying to determine the specific type and source.

In the meantime, many supermarkets and restaurants are playing it safe by throwing out round red, red plum and red Roma tomatoes and products that may contain them. Mexican-food chains Taco Bell and Chipotle both pulled raw tomatoes from their menus, as did many Subway sandwich shop locations.

Others substituted raw tomatoes the FDA has declared safe from this outbreak: tomatoes on the vine, grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and tomatoes grown at home.

"If you want tomatoes on your burger right now you'll get a sliced cherry tomato," said Lane Hoss, spokeswoman for Anthony's restaurants. The chain also switched to cooked salsa, as cooking tomatoes to 145 degrees kills salmonella.

Here in the Puget Sound region, local grocers PCC Natural Markets, Metropolitan Market and Haggen Food and Pharmacy have stopped selling fresh guacamole and salsa until further notice. Safeway and Whole Foods Market stores stopped offering tomato slices with deli sandwiches.

Taco del Mar locations pulled pico de gallo and other fresh-tomato products. The Renton School District won't serve tomatoes named in the FDA warning until it receives an all-clear from suppliers, said spokesman Randy Matheson. Pagliacci Pizza customers will have to do without raw tomatoes on veggie pizzas.

"There's just enough uncertainty about where this stuff is coming from," said Matt Galvin, one of Pagliacci's owners. "Why risk any confusion?"

And confusing it is. The FDA has issued an advisory rather than a formal recall, which has prompted soul-searching among food sellers. The FDA has released a list of farming locations, including California, Canada and Hawaii, that it believes are safe from the outbreak.

As a result, some restaurants and markets are confident enough in their produce suppliers to stay the course.

Local chain Azteca will continue serving raw tomatoes it ships in from California, said executive director Randy Thurman.

"The good news is we know exactly where ours are coming from," Thurman said.

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.

Karen Gaudette: 206-515-5618 or kgaudette@seattletimes.com