CHICAGO The Chicago Department of Public Health has identified two Adobo Grills here as sources of nine salmonella cases linked to fresh tomatoes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which had declined to publicly identify the restaurants, is attempting to trace shipments back through distributors, packing houses and growers to find the source of an outbreak that has sickened more than 383 people and hospitalized at least 48 nationwide, according to agency officials. But a high-ranking FDA executive also told the media yesterday that the source may never be found.
The nine cases blamed on fresh tomatoes consumed at the two Adobo Grills were only about half of 17 cases reported in Chicago. Many of the restaurants’ made-from-scratch dishes include fresh tomatoes, which were reportedly purchased daily.
Paul LoDuca, president of DaVinci Group, the management company that operates Adobo Grill, said in a statement: “Just like the people across the country who have been sickened from eating the contaminated tomatoes, Adobo Grill was an unknowing victim of the problem. When purchasing produce for use at the restaurant, there is no way to know whether it may harbor salmonella bacteria.”
LoDuca added that the FDA and Chicago Department of Public Health told him that newly purchased tomatoes are again safe to eat. The city health department also said the restaurants fully cooperated with the investigation and that they are in compliance with food safety regulations.
Salmonella victims suffered symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The outbreak has been tracked to Roma, plum and red round tomatoes grown in Mexico and some parts of Florida.
