Florida growers ship tomatoes

MAITLAND — Florida tomato growers are shipping their crops again after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Wednesday cleared them as salmonella free.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued certificates verifying the origin of fresh Florida tomatoes for an estimated several thousand loads.

“We are back in business,” said Bob Spencer, of West Coast Tomatoes, a grower-packer located in Palmetto-Ruskin production area of Florida. “And we want everyone to know it.”

“With a few growers picking through next Friday, we are happy to let consumers know they can enjoy fresh Florida tomatoes through the 4th of July weekend,” said Samantha Winters, director, education and promotion for the Florida Tomato Committee.

“Over the next several weeks, consumers will have many great opportunities to enjoy our Florida tomatoes,” Spencer said, “and we stand ready and happy to accommodate them.”

The tomato crop brings in $500 million to $600 million annually for Florida growers. Losses stemming from the salmonella scare have been estimated at $40 million.

Nationally, there have been 167 recorded cases of salmonella poisoning nationwide from tainted tomatoes, including 23 hospitalizations.

Researchers continue to track down the source of the tainted tomatoes.