Homegrown / Locally Grown Tomatoes Safe
Scary business this salmonella contamination of tomatoes, isn't it? One more reason to grow your own or buy hyper locally, a solution the FDA supports.
In a recent statement, Tracy Ryder, cofounder and president of Edible Communities Inc., the network of publications dedicated to the local food movement in North America, says, “If there is a problem with a locally grown crop, consumers can trace their food back to its source very quickly.”
This is in contrast to the current case of salmonella in tomatoes for which the FDA has been trying to locate the origin since May.
It looks like one's safest bet is to become a "locavore" and eat homegrown or food grown locally on a small family farm. No surprise there.
This news from the FDA and the fact I'm minutes away from local farms and my own plants are beginning to bud nicely means I can indulge my craving for tomato-rich Bulgarian "shopska salata" with impunity this summer! Hope this sets your mind at ease, too.
"Shopska Salata" photo © 2008 Barbara Rolek licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
What this has to do with eastern europe cooking?
In answer to your question, a lot of Eastern European recipes are heavily dependent on tomatoes. I wanted to reassure everyone that, according to the FDA, they can continue to enjoy tomatoes if they are circumspect about the source. People who enjoy Eastern European food are also concerned about food safety, just as anyone else would be. I thought it would be good to link to one of my recipes containing tomatoes and letting people know they don’t have to eliminate tomatoes from their diet. Thanks. I’d love to hear your comments on this.
Brilliant!