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Salmonella Scare Prompts Recall Of Grape Tomatoes

ST. LOUIS (CBS) — A St. Louis-based produce company has recalled grape tomatoes that might be contaminated with salmonella.

Front Row Produce recalled 10-ounce pint and 10-pound bulk grape tomatoes sold at retail stores in Missouri and Illinois. The tomatoes were supplied by Rio Queen Citrus of Mission, Texas.

No illnesses have been reported. Front Row Produce says contamination was discovered after random testing by Rio Queen Citrus.

Starting Thursday, shipments of the 10-ounce packages sold in retail stores will include a green lot number sticker on the bottom side of each package with a seven-digit number. Packages that do not contain the green sticker should be considered suspect and under recall.

Consumers with questions can call Front Row Produce at 314-241-4700.

Production of the grape tomatoes by Rio Queen Citrus has been suspended while the Food and Drug Administration and the company investigate the source of the problem.

The most common symptoms of salmonella are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within eight hours to 72 hours of eating a contaminated product. It is life-threatening to some with weakened immune systems.

Salmonella infections may last about a week and often don't require treatment other than drinking plenty of water and other fluids. Sometimes antibiotics are used when the infection spreads from the intestines.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS Radio and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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