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Highlands Today

Florida Tomatoes Cleared After Businesses Adjust To Voluntary Ban

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: June 11, 2008

SEBRING — Florida agricultural leaders say the federal government has cleared the state's tomatoes of being the cause of a national food poisoning scare, according to the Associated Press.

Amid a salmonella outbreak linked to raw tomatoes, many fast-food chains and grocery stores had removed or stopped selling them altogether the last couple of days.

On Tuesday, before this announcement was made, eateries, groceries and consumers were adjusting to a voluntary ban on most fresh tomatoes.

Although the local McDonald's, Panera Bread, and Subway were not using fresh tomatoes early Tuesday, Mary Lou Mann was not about to give up the grapefruit-sized tomato stored at her home.

Mary Lou and husband, David Mann, were eating breakfast at Chicanes Restaurant and Bar, at the Inn on the Lakes, Tuesday, where they first heard about a possible outbreak of Salmonella poisoning.

"I'm still here," said 70-year old Mary Lou Mann. "What's going to happen if I eat them? I'm half dead anyway. I'm not giving up my tomato."

Rick Cruickshand, general manager of Chicanes, said Tuesday morning that he had pulled all fresh tomato products from sandwiches and salads, like many other eateries nationwide.

If the voluntary ban continues, Cruickshand said he has considered adding cherry tomatoes to salads since their sales were not affected.

The Subway Sandwiches and Salads on U.S. 27 South was busy Tuesday morning, although tomatoes were missing from the meals.

Manager Misty Woolbright said while some customers knew about the tomato scare, many were surprised when they read a handmade sign explaining the voluntary ban.

"Sometimes they complain," said Woolbright."They really want their tomatoes. A lot of people don't know about it until they see the sign."

Nicole Lebeau, spokeswoman for Sweetbay supermarkets, said the retailer continues to sell tomatoes grown in Canada.

The store had removed some varieties Tuesday morning, including green, yellow, red round and plum tomatoes, but shoppers scooped up red vine-grown and hot-house tomatoes at the south Sebring supermarket.

Alice Leorg, of Sebring, was pleased to see tomatoes still stocked at Sweetbay, and the price of red vine tomatoes slashed to 99 cents per pound.

"I'm not afraid," said Leorg. "It's nice that they're cheaper than usual. I'm buying about 10 tomatoes which will last me a week."

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