Due to the possible presence of salmonella in some tomatoes,

Seattle Waste Management and Cedar Grove Composting request that all residential and

business customers put suspect tomatoes and suspect raw tomato products such

as salsa in the garbage, not in curbside yard/food carts or in home

composting bins or worm bins.

"We ask that customers take this cautionary step and share this advisory with their neighbors and co-workers," said Rita

Smith, Community Education and Sustainability Coordinator for Waste Management Northwest.

Waste Management and Cedar Grove Composting are issuing this advisory in

compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture which

mandates that contaminated produce go into the trash.

"Although our process breaks down salmonella, if there are recalls or warnings on food items, our

policy is to follow USDA guidelines," said Susan Thoman, director of business development and marketing for Cedar Grove Composting.

Anyone utilizing their own backyard compost or worm bin is encouraged to

follow this same advisory and to put tomatoes suspected of being

contaminated with salmonella in the trash.

For more information about the nationwide salmonella outbreak affecting

fresh tomatoes, please visit the FDA Web site:

http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/tomatoes.html