Plum, round and Roma red tomatoes have been taken off the shelves of retailers and restaurant menus in the US due to salmonella fears.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is hunting for the source of a salmonella outbreak that has affected at least 145 people across 17 states. It has warned against eating the varieties raw unless they are from certain states, or abroad.
Cherry, grape and on-the-vine tomatoes have not been included in the warning.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have dealt with 145 reported cases - caused by an unusual type of the bacteria, salmonella saintpaul - since mid-April. At least 23 people have been hospitalized, but no-one has died as a direct result of infection.
Wal-Mart is among a number of US supermarkets to pull the strains off its shelves. Foodservice giants McDonald’s and Taco bell have done the same.
