ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State agriculture officials say tomatoes grown in New York state are safe to eat and are not linked to the recent salmonella outbreak.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirms that information, and includes New York on its list of production areas not associated with the outbreak.

New York isn't a significant producer of tomatoes and its tomato season typically doesn't start until later this month. But there are a handful of greenhouse operations in the state that are offering tomatoes that are safe to eat.

The FDA warned consumers on June 7 that a 17-state salmonella
outbreak was linked to certain types of raw tomatoes. No illnesses
were reported in New York.

A western New York grocery chain, Tops Markets, has stopped
selling some tomatoes while federal officials look for the source of the outbreak.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)