For a few weeks in Puglia there has been an increase in cases of salmonellosis, the infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella. In September, the Prevention Departments documented several outbreaks of food poisoning and the investigations identified the strain involved, the Salmonella Strathcona ST2559. Epidemiological investigations then linked the cases to the consumption of a very common vegetable, the fresh tomato, in particular the cherry one eaten raw.
The problem, however, did not stop at regional borders: similar situations were also detected in Lombardy, Lazio and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and on 30 September the issue landed on the table of the national task force on salmonella. Upon initial analysis, a batch of tomatoes from Caltanissetta, Sicily, was found to be contaminated, but the data will have to be confirmed by the national health authorities.
In this context, the Puglia Region has asked to temporarily suspend the use of raw tomatoes in collective catering, with a measure that closely concerns schools, hospitals and care facilities.
The directive of the Puglia Region
After the task force meeting, the Puglia Region sent a request to Municipalities and public and private operators to suspend the use of fresh raw tomatoes. The measure concerns cooking centers and distribution points for school, social-welfare and hospital catering, nursing homes and in general services intended for vulnerable categories. In the menus the vegetable can be replaced with other cooked vegetables.
The choice is precautionary and comes just as school lunch activities are resuming in schools: while waiting for certain and updated data, it was decided to protect first of all children, elderly people and patients, who are more at risk than others of complications, even serious ones. However, there is no ban on citizens, who can continue to purchase and consume fresh tomatoes.
In Bari the Municipality immediately complied, specifying that no cases linked to the reports were recorded in the city schools. The canteen service continues regularly and the alternatives to raw tomatoes will be communicated to families starting next week.
The suspension will remain in force until further indications from the health authority.
Because raw vegetables can be a risk
Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne infections. Usually we think of eggs, poultry meat and derivatives, but fruit and vegetables can also carry the bacterium, especially when they are consumed raw or washed insufficiently; in fact, in the absence of cooking, any contamination is not eliminated.
Typical symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and sometimes fever and headache, and the picture usually resolves within a few days. For children, the elderly and immunosuppressed people, however, the risk of complications is higher, and this is precisely the reason why caution is focused on canteens that serve food to these categories.
At home, the usual rules still apply: wash raw vegetables well, store them correctly and contact your doctor if the symptoms are intense or persist.
