"We are working to understand why certain produce commodities, such as tomatoes, are difficult to track and trace and whether our existing system for doing so is adequate," said a spokeswoman for the House Energy and Commerce investigations subcommittee.
In a conference call with reporters, Acheson wouldn't specify what other produce is under suspicion.
Health officials involved in the investigation have told The Sun that they include jalapeno peppers, cilantro and green onions. All can be found in salsa, guacamole or other commonly eaten Mexican dishes containing tomatoes.
According to state health officials, Mexican dishes are a particular focus because most clusters of infected people ate at Mexican restaurants.
Presence of a contaminant in the dishes, which contain tomatoes, would explain the large numbers of those who reported eating tomatoes.
Produce industry officials, up in arms that a popular product with $2.3 billion in yearly sales may be tarnished, fear the new but undefined turn in the investigation will dampen consumers' appetites for other fruits and vegetables.
"If they say it's not tomatoes, then how many other commodities will be affected?" said Tom Nassif, president of the Western Growers Association, whose California members have stopped producing tomatoes because prices and demand are too low. "We have a lot of reasons to be angry."
The FDA's Acheson called on Congress to give his agency new powers that would force industry to institute quality controls and reduce the chance of contamination.
"Things definitely have to get better. No one in public health and no one in industry can be satisfied how this outbreak was handled," said Amy Philpott, a spokeswoman for the United Fresh Produce Association, an organization that represents growers, suppliers, retailers and restaurants.
jonathan.rockoff@baltsun.com
