STRANGER THAN FICTION: Who’s Laughing Now?

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL: The FDA and CDC first warned last week of dozens of people in nine states who had gotten sick after eating certain types of raw, red tomatoes. Now, the CDC reports that at least 167 people in 17 states have been infected with Salmonella Saintpaul, the salmonella strain involved in the current outbreak. Those 17 states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Salmonella bacteria can cause diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Serious and potentially fatal cases are more likely in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weak immune systems. MORE

UPDATE: New Jersey joined Pennsylvania yesterday on a list of at least 20 states whose tomatoes have been ruled out as the source of a salmonella outbreak that has been linked to 23 hospitalizations. The contamination, which led to a consumer warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Saturday, has been preliminarily traced to raw red plum, red Roma and round red tomatoes.Though most of the illnesses were reported in New Mexico and Texas, authorities are unsure where the tomatoes originated.

WIKIPEDIA: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is a 1978 comedy film directed by John De Bello and starring David Miller. The film is a spoof of B-movies. The story involves tomatoes coming to life by unknown means and revolting against humanity. Made on a budget of less than USD$100,000. The film was poorly received by critics. MORE