In response to the FDA’s recent food safety alert regarding
the Salmonellosis outbreak linked to the consumption of uncooked Roma tomatoes
and round red tomatoes, Pizza Fusion is temporarily sourcing FDA approved
tomato vendors farmed within one of the confirmed safe locations that the FDA
released on Saturday.  Due to the
seasonal availability of the crop, organic tomatoes are primarily sourced from Mexico
and Florida, which have not yet
been cleared by the FDA as approved safe sources.  As a result, the organic restaurant
chain is forced to carry conventionally grown tomatoes to uphold their
commitment to food quality and their customers’ health and safety.
    “We’re taking the FDA’s food safety alert very
seriously with concern for the health of our customers and the integrity of our
food,” explains Ashley Rathgeber, supply development manager at Pizza
Fusion.  “While sourcing
conventional ingredients goes against our organic menu offerings, we’re ready
and willing to do so at a moment’s notice in the best interest of our
customers.  We will be paying
close attention as more information becomes available from the FDA’s
investigation.”
    Pizza Fusion sources canned organic tomatoes for their sauce
that are steam pealed and pasteurized in the can prior to being shipped.  This process of cooking the tomatoes
in the can sterilizes the tomatoes, protecting them from any contamination,
like that associated with the uncooked tomatoes linked to the Salmonellosis
outbreak.