Press Release ~ Most Tomato Varieties are Safe

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Press Release ~ Most Tomato Varieties are Safe

Posted by MGC Public Relations on June 12, 2008

Consumers Can Purchase Majority of Tomato Varieties

Cherry, Grape and Tomatoes on the Vine Varieties not Subject to Salmonella Alert

SAN ANTONIO, June 9 ~ PRNewswire -- Desert Glory who markets the NatureSweet brand, and is North America's largest grower of greenhouse tomatoes, wants to let consumers know that more than 50% of all tomatoes bought in grocery stores in the US are not subject to the most recent June 7, 2008 Salmonella alert issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

According to the alert, FDA advised consumers nationwide to "limit their tomato consumption to tomatoes that have not been implicated in the outbreak." The FDA specifically stated that cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes sold with the vine still attached from any source have not been implicated in the outbreak.

"All of our NatureSweet branded tomatoes are grown in a highly controlled greenhouse environment which allows us to regulate all aspects of tomato production and processing," said Bryant Ambelang, Desert Glory Chief Marketing Officer. "There is significant availability of cherry, grape and on-the-vine tomatoes and consumers can safely enjoy the benefits of our best tasting tomatoes."

According to Ambelang, the company invests in controlled greenhouse operations, private wells, continual testing procedures and 100% product traceability to ensure food safety throughout the tomato's growth and harvest. For more information on the alert, company food safety news and the excluded varieties please visit http://www.naturesweettomatoes.com/ or http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/.

About Desert Glory

Desert Glory, LTD, based in San Antonio, Texas is the leading grower of premium small tomatoes in North America under the NatureSweet brand. Distributed throughout the U.S., at major grocers, club stores and foodservice operators, NatureSweet tomatoes deliver the best tasting tomatoes with year-round availability. As the number one brand of vine-ripened cherry tomatoes in the U.S., NatureSweet's growing operations comprise nearly 1,000 acres under greenhouse and proudly employs nearly 5000 associates.

CONTACT: Ivette Lopez, Desert Glory
512-495-7182
Emily Ingle, Desert Glory
512-495-7152
Web site: http://www.naturesweettomatoes.com/