What I read said washing them quite often does NOT get all of the salmonella AND it is esp. dangerous if there are any nicks or cuts anywhere on them as the salmonella would then infect the inner flesh. I also read this is true of carrots.

All fast food places here have stopped serving any fresh tomatoes and in one case, McDonalds, have indicated they don't know if they ever will, again. So far, they say the cherry ones and ones which come with the vine attached are safe and I've been eating them with no problems, but those are the kind we always buy. We are growing our own but they are not big enough or red enough, yet.

I read that salmonella comes from unsanitary conditions where a mixing of animal or human feces may be introduced into the water, etc. around the fruit.