As August winds down in North America, tomatoes take center stage — in salads, on burgers, and at every BBQ. With more than 1,000 varieties, they bring flavor, nutrition, and culture to tables worldwide. Yet tomatoes are also one of the highest-risk foods for contamination. Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, Shigella, and Campylobacter have all been tied to outbreaks, leading to illness, hospitalization, and even death. Recent supply shocks in India, Australia, and beyond further highlight how fragile global access to tomatoes can be. Our latest paper explores:
✔️ Why tomatoes are so vulnerable to contamination
✔️ The true cost of outbreaks on communities and economies
✔️ Global case studies of supply disruption
✔️ How Beyond Farming ensures a safe, local, contamination-free supply of “Pure” tomatoes The message is simple: tomatoes should enrich the plate, not put health at risk. With the right technology, they can remain safe, abundant, and reliably available.

August 11, 2025
Why “Safe Enough” Produce Isn’t Safe Enough Most of us assume the fruits and vegetables on supermarket shelves are rigorously tested before they reach our plates. In reality, in many countries — including Canada — fresh produce is rarely screened for dangerous pathogens like E. coli O157:H7 or salmonella unless there’s already an outbreak. This report reveals:

• How common crops like basil, carrots, strawberries, blueberries, and mushrooms can carry heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful bacteria — even when certified organic.
• Why wealthier nations run routine testing, while others focus on meat and processed foods, leaving produce vulnerable.
• The preventable human and economic cost of foodborne illness.

We present the Pure Standard — Beyond Farming’s commitment to zero contamination, full traceability, and water-neutral fogponic cultivation that extends shelf life naturally.