US checks if tomatoes caused Salmonella outbreak (AP)

In this June 9, 2008 file photo, Mark Roh,  U.S. Food and Drug Administration's acting regional director holds a bag of tomatoes being tested for salmonella bacteria at FDA's southwest regional research lab, in Irvine, Calif. Pick a tomato in the blazing sun and plunge it into cold water. Instead of cleaning it, you might have contaminated it. As the FDA painstakingly tracks the source of the nationwide salmonella outbreak, this example shows the farm isn't the only place tomatoes can become tainted ? and checking things like water quality and temperature control in packing houses and other supply stops is one key to safety.  (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)AP - As salmonella cases continue to climb, the government is checking if tainted tomatoes really are to blame for the record outbreak ? or if the problem is with another ingredient, or a warehouse that is contaminating newly harvested tomatoes.