Responding to consumers' concerns about salmonella food poisoning linked to uncooked tomatoes, restaurants and grocery stores nationwide and across Butler and Warren counties announced they will be pulling tomatoes from their shelves and menus.

Kroger Co. officials said they had pulled the tomatoes on the FDA list from their local stores. Spokeswoman Meghan Glynn said employees also pulled fresh salsa, and chopped tomatoes from the salad bars.

Other local stores pulling tomatoes include Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, Chipotle, Subway, Outback Steakhouse, Taco Bell and Wal-Mart.

The Food and Drug Administration said consumers nationwide should avoid raw plum, Roma and round, red tomatoes. Tomatoes actually grown in Ohio are believed to be safe, officials said.

Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and tomatoes still on the vine are safe to eat raw, the FDA said.

Since April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported 145 cases of a type of salmonella known as "Saintpaul." No deaths have been reported, but the illness has caused 23 hospitalizations. The source of what is causing salmonella to be in the tomatoes has not yet been identified, the FDA said.

No cases have been reported in Ohio or Kentucky but seven have been reported in Indiana, according to the CDC.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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