Tomatoes have been squashed from many sandwiches, salads and store shelves as they are being blamed for salmonella outbreaks.

Three types of raw tomatoes are being linked to the illness. Those tomatoes are red plum, red Roma and round red tomatoes. The tomatoes were grown in 17 states, but tomatoes from South and North Carolina and Georgia have not been recalled.

Stores like the Food Lion on Kendall Road have pulled the tomatoes from shelves and are offering customers refunds.

However, cherry, grape and tomatoes on the vine are not included in the recall.

Officials at the Bi-Lo grocery store on Wilson Road say they do not have any of the affected tomatoes.

But many restaurants like McDonalds are not serving the fruit.

The Food and Drug Administration is also warning people against consuming raw tomato foods such as salsa, guacamole and pico de gallo.

Since mid-April, 167 people have been infected with salmonella from eating the tomatoes and 23 were hospitalized.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can move through the intestinal tract of humans or other warm-blooded animals causing high levels of physical distress.

Those infected suffered from fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after consuming the tomatoes. The condition lasted for four to seven days.

Anyone with unused tomatoes in their home are urged to call the store where they purchased them for more information.