This week’s food safety infosheet from the International Food Safety Network highlights a recent Salmonella outbreak that was traced to a Quizno’s restaurant in Rochester, Minnesota. From the infosheet:
Doug Schultz, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Health was quoted as saying "We’re still investigating the outbreak, and part of that investigation involves produce items being the likely vehicle for the contamination."
Tomatoes are suspected, but no definitive cause has been confirmed. The restaurant reopened after certification from Olmsted County Public Health.
Other Salmonella outbreaks have been traced to contaminated tomatoes. In 2004, Sheetz convenience stores were the source of a Salmonella outbreak that resulted in hundreds of illnesses.