I was wondering where all the tomatoes went! Now I know!

Tainted tomatoes cause stores and restaurants to take precautions

2:04 PM EDT, June 9, 2008

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You can have it your way -- as long as you prefer your fast food sandwiches and summer salads without certain types of tomatoes.

Stores and restaurants across the region are withholding tomatoes from consumers because at least 145 people across the country, but none in Pennsylvania, have been sickened by an outbreak of salmonella-tainted tomatoes.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the weekend expanded a warning about tainted roma, plum and round red tomatoes. Tomatoes on the vine, cherry and grape tomatoes and home-grown tomatoes are safe to eat, the FDA said.

Washing potentially affected tomatoes likely will not eliminate the risk, the FDA said. If consumers are unsure of the safety of their food, they should contact their retailer or discard the food.