splitting tomatoe fruit

PlusSalmonella Outbreak ExpandsSalmonella Outbreak ExpandsThe Associated PressThe toll from salmonella-tainted tomatoes jumped to 228 illnesses as the government learned of 60 previously unknown cases. Six more states reported illnesses related to the outbreak. (June 12)AS TOMATO GROWERS WORRY ABOUT THIS YEAR'S GROWING SEASON AND A HUGE DROP IN SALES -- FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE SALMONELLA OUTBREAK THAT'S TIED TO TAINTED TOMATOES IS WIDER THAN FIRST THOUGHT.ABOUT 60 PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED -- RAISING THE OUTBREAK'S TALLY TO MORE THAN 225.AND SIX NEW STATES ARE REPORTING CASES -- NEW YORK -- VERMONT -- TENNESSEE -- FLORIDA -- GEORGIA -- AND MISSOURI -- BRINGING THE NUMBER OF STATES REPORTING CASES UP TO 23.CONSUMERS SEEM TO BE SPLIT OVER BUYING TOMATOES RIGHT NOW.I bought tomatoes yesterday. I didn't even think about the problem because they said florida was clean. [Notes:SOT -- VOX POP FROM CUSTOMER]So i'm worried about the tomatoes...worry about the bacteria...worry about the stuff. No more tomatoes for me. [Notes:VO -- TOMATOES FOR SALE]THE F-D-A IS SOUNDING LESS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE OUTBREAK QUICKLY.OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE NOT SURE HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE.THREE VARIETIES - RED PLUM -- RED ROMA --- AND ROUND RED TOMATOES - ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE CAUSED THE ILLNESSES.BUT GROWERS SAY THE OUTBREAK HAS AFFECTED PEOPLES' PERCEPTIONS OF ALL TOMATOES, [Notes:SOT -- GROWER]We're hopeful it gets back on the menu...we hope consumer confidence regains to where it was a month ago because demand going into the season was real good. [Notes:VO -- TOMATO HARVESTING]MEANWHILE MEXICAN GROWERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ARE CALLING THE F-D-A'S WARNING ABOUT TAINTED TOMATOES UNJUST, SAYING IT COULD CRIPPLE MEXICO'S $1 BILLION INDUSTRY. [Notes:VO--TOMATO HARVESTING]THE COUNTRY'S AGRICULTURE SECRETARY SAYS A DELEGATION OF MEXICAN OFFICIALS FLEW TO WASHINGTON THURSDAY TO WORK WITH THE FDA ON FINDING THE SOURCE OF THE OUTBREAK. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

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