Salmonella Outbreak - Not All Tomatoes Are Created Equal!
There is some great news about the recent tomato scare from the salmonella out break - not all tomatoes are created equal! It is true that the salmonella outbreak has affected three of the most popular varieties, large round tomatoes, sometimes called beefsteaks, the egg shaped red Roma and red plum, popular for salads and sauces.
When the first salmonella infected tomatoes first surfaced back in March of this year Food and Drug Administration officials advised us to thoroughly wash and cook all tomatoes.
Now, some three months later, their advice is to destroy them and not consume them in any fashion.
This shift in theory has come about as reported cases of salmonella from tainted tomatoes has continued to rise.
At least 34 states have reported salmonella poisoning in the past three months.
So, do we have to give up tomatoes all together to ensure the safety of our families? Or, is there a way way to be sure we are eating safe tomatoes? Thankfully, there are still safe tomatoes.
Locally grown, farm fresh varieties are probably safe, but there is one other way to be absolutely certain of the freshness and purity of your tomatoes.
Grow your own! It is not to late to plant and harvest your own tomato crop this year.
Check with your local nursery or garden store for plants.
Don't buy plants that already have blooms set on as they will only stunt the growth of your plants and delay harvest.
Ask the nursery staff which varieties will produce the earliest fruit.
Cherry or grape tomatoes are easy to raise and will produce a large quantity of small sized tomatoes, just right for salads.
If you don't have garden space, don't despair.
You can raise a couple of nice tomato plants from five gallon buckets.
Drill a few holes in the bottom of each bucket to allow for water drainage.
Fill the bucket with a good moisture control soil mix and plant the tomatoes up to the first leaves.
Your nursery staff will guide you through planting.
The cherry tomatoes could even be planted in hanging baskets.
So, you see with regards to the salmonella outbreak - all tomatoes are not created equal! Some are created from your own personal touch.
Raising tomatoes can be a fun family project.
Eating them will be even more enjoyable, knowing you grew them yourself.
When the first salmonella infected tomatoes first surfaced back in March of this year Food and Drug Administration officials advised us to thoroughly wash and cook all tomatoes.
Now, some three months later, their advice is to destroy them and not consume them in any fashion.
This shift in theory has come about as reported cases of salmonella from tainted tomatoes has continued to rise.
At least 34 states have reported salmonella poisoning in the past three months.
So, do we have to give up tomatoes all together to ensure the safety of our families? Or, is there a way way to be sure we are eating safe tomatoes? Thankfully, there are still safe tomatoes.
Locally grown, farm fresh varieties are probably safe, but there is one other way to be absolutely certain of the freshness and purity of your tomatoes.
Grow your own! It is not to late to plant and harvest your own tomato crop this year.
Check with your local nursery or garden store for plants.
Don't buy plants that already have blooms set on as they will only stunt the growth of your plants and delay harvest.
Ask the nursery staff which varieties will produce the earliest fruit.
Cherry or grape tomatoes are easy to raise and will produce a large quantity of small sized tomatoes, just right for salads.
If you don't have garden space, don't despair.
You can raise a couple of nice tomato plants from five gallon buckets.
Drill a few holes in the bottom of each bucket to allow for water drainage.
Fill the bucket with a good moisture control soil mix and plant the tomatoes up to the first leaves.
Your nursery staff will guide you through planting.
The cherry tomatoes could even be planted in hanging baskets.
So, you see with regards to the salmonella outbreak - all tomatoes are not created equal! Some are created from your own personal touch.
Raising tomatoes can be a fun family project.
Eating them will be even more enjoyable, knowing you grew them yourself.
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