November 3, 2006 -- FDA Advises on Salmonella Illness

Saying that investigation is continuing into the source of Salmonella bacteria that caused a number of illnesses in September, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) November 2 gave advice to consumers on how to reduce the risk of foodborne illness, including Salmonella, from fresh produce. Conceding that it doesn’t yet know for sure if produce was the source of the recent outbreaks, the FDA said it’s a good idea for consumers to keep some precautions in mind when buying and storing fresh produce, including choosing only unbruised or undamaged produce, selecting cut items such as half watermelons or bagged salad mixes only when those products are refrigerated or surrounded by ice, and keeping fresh fruits and vegetables separate from meats and poultry on the way home from the supermarket. The FDA also offers tips on preparing produce for serving. The advice to consumers and a description of the symptoms of salmonella-related illness are online at http://www.fda.gov.