Jun 14, 2008 10:32 pm US/Central
Salmonella Tomato Cases Linked to 1 Restaurant
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The source of salmonella-tainted tomatoes, which have sickened more than 200 people nationwide, is still unknown. But tonight, CBS 2 is learning more about the Chicago-area cases. As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, nine of the 17 Chicago victims have been linked to one restaurant.
Illinois is just one of 23 states dealing with salmonella cases linked to tainted tomatoes.
As of Friday, 29 cases had been reported in our state – 17 of those in Chicago.
A spokesperson for the city's Department of Public Health says nine of those cases have been linked to one area restaurant.
"That's pretty scary. I think that they should let people know what restaurant that is," said Chicago diner Joe Catalano.
Catalano isn't the only one who'd like to know, but at this time the Department of Public Health is not naming the restaurant.
"If we know who ate there, we try not to be very public with naming the establishment because inevitably what happens is, people who didn't eat there, will come forward and claim that they ate there, and it kind of muddies up the investigation," said Tim Hadac.
Hadac says the restaurant had to be shut down for 48 hours while its food handlers were tested.
Out of about 40 people, one person tested positive for salmonella Saint Paul, but Hadac says that's likely because the worker at the restaurant.
According to Hadac, that employee was not allowed to return to work when the restaurant reopened June 11.
"It looks like it was one time, perhaps a bad shipment of tomatoes or some other ingredient that was served at the restaurant," Hadac said.
He said this recent salmonella scare is a good reminder of why people need to be careful when it comes to fresh, raw vegetables.
"Ultimately, there is no such thing as "safe," when you're talking about something that grows in the soil," Hadac added.
Some Chicagoans say that's exactly why they are going to avoid all tomatoes for the time being.
"Until there's no more talk of salmonella, then I'll reintroduce the tomatoes into the diet," said Chicago diner Kristin Bellanca.
One major restaurant chain is not going to wait quite as long to reintroduce tomatoes to their menu. Saturday, McDonald's announced that tomatoes will be reintroduced in their restaurants in the next seven to 10 days.
Last week, Burger Kin announced they are restocking their restaurants with tomatoes as well.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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