On Saturday, federal health officials announced that Salmonella food poisoning cases have been reported in no less than 16 states.

Following investigations carried out by the Texas and New Mexico Departments of Health and the U.S. Indian Health Service, around one hundred cases in Texas and New Mexico were established to have been caused by uncooked tomatoes.

Alarmed by the information presented by the media, several local grocery stores, including Whole Foods, have begun taking out tomatoes from their stocks.

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 23 people have been hospitalized so far; fortunately, no deaths have been reported.

As Deborah Busemeyer, New Mexico Department of Health communications director, said on Saturday, grape and cherry tomatoes that come with the vine still attached, as well as homegrown tomatoes are probably not the source of the Salmonella outbreak.

The disease produced by the Salmonella bacteria is called salmonellosis and for most of the infected people is known to cause diarrhea and feverand abdominal cramps. The illness generally lasts four to seven days and people normally choose to tough it out without a treatment.

There are several ways to come into contact with the bacteria. The CDC also recommends that all animal owners should always wash their hands after touching pet food. Also, other recommendations referred to the pet feeding areas where children should not be allowed and infants under 5 should not touch or eat pet food, treats or supplements.