WEDNESDAY, June 18 (HealthDay News) -- The number of people known to have fallen ill after eating salmonella-tainted tomatoes has now jumped to 383 in 30 states plus the District of Columbia, U.S. health officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

TUESDAY, June 17 (HealthDay News) -- Although a U.S. government investigation into salmonella-tainted tomatoes has not yet identified a specific source for the contamination, health officials said Monday they are now focusing their "trace-back" efforts on one cluster of nine cases in one location.

FRIDAY, June 13 (HealthDay News) -- Next to wanting to know what's causing salmonella bacteria to contaminate tomatoes across the United States, the biggest question consumers have had during the past week is, "Do I have to stop eating tomatoes to make sure I don't get sick?"

Of course, the safest way to protect yourself from any food is to not eat it, but tomatoes and tomato products are so much a part of the American way of life that staying away from them completely may be extremely difficult.

A recent salmonella outbreak associated with tomatoes leaves fast-food chains a condiment short and triggers a blame-game as the investigation continues.

With millions exposed to possible infection Federal Drug Administration spokeswoman Kimberly Rawling tells The Associated Press, “We are working hard and fast on this one and hope to have something as quick as possible,” commenting on the ongoing investigation.

By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials said Wednesday they are zeroing in on a source for the recent outbreak of salmonella from contaminated tomatoes.

"The question is where specifically did these tomatoes come from," Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said during a teleconference Wednesday. "We're getting very close, but at this point, today, we don't know for sure where they did come from."

By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, June 10 (HealthDay News) -- To avoid the current outbreak of salmonella in tomatoes, consumers will need to employ a little detective work and forgo certain types of tomatoes for a while.

"The best advice right now is to be extremely careful in trying to find out exactly where the tomatoes they're purchasing are from," said Tony Corbo, legislative representative for Food & Water Watch, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit consumer group that works to ensure clean water and safe food.

A salmonella outbreak linked to raw tomatoes serves as a reminder to take extra care with summer fruits and vegetables.

More than 20 people have been hospitalized as the government investigates the source of the tomatoes responsible for the illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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McDonald's, Burger King and a number of other restaurant chains announced Monday that they were suspending the use of certain fresh tomatoes until they learn the source of a recent nationwide salmonella outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers nationwide over the weekend not to eat raw red Roma, raw red plum, and raw red round tomatoes while the agency investigates the source of 145 recent cases of "Saintpaul" salmonella in 16 states that appear linked to uncooked tomatoes, the Associated Press reported.