People shopping for tomatoes today are going to have a difficult time finding them.

Based on warnings from the Food and Drug Administration, local grocery stores and restaurants began clearing their shelves of tomatoes yesterday.

The FDA warned that certain raw red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes and products containing raw tomatoes could be tainted with salmonella, a bacteria that can poison food.

The source of the tomatoes responsible for the illnesses in at least 16 states has not been pinpointed, although the FDA is investigating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said at least 23 people have been hospitalized since June 3, and two infections in Virginia have been reported. No deaths have been reported.

Wade Carmichael, senior category manager for produce at Ukrop's Super Markets Inc., said the Richmond-based grocery chain decided to pull tomatoes yesterday.

The FDA warned consumers in New Mexico and Texas last week about the outbreak and expanded its warning nationwide during the weekend.

While Ukrop's hadn't seen any problems, Carmichael said "this is a case where we rather err on the side of caution."

The chain will continue to carry grape and cherry tomatoes as well as tomatoes grown on vines, because there are no warnings on that produce.

Customers who bought tomatoes at Ukrop's can get refunds at any of its stores.

Food Lion LLC and The Kroger Co. also pulled tomatoes from their shelves and are offering refunds, as are Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.

Ridding the shelves of tomatoes isn't limited to grocery stores, though.

Margaret Kasugi, manager of the Subway sandwich shop on Nine Mile Road in Henrico County, said she was instructed to throw all sliced tomatoes into the garbage when she arrived at work Sunday. She was not sure how long it would be before her store would stock them again.

McDonald's Corp., Burger King, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Taco Bell were among other restaurants removing tomatoes from their menus.

At a Quiznos sandwich shop on West Broad Street, manager Al Merchant said he was notified yesterday when he opened the store.

"A lot of people look shocked at first when we tell them when they find out we don't carry them," Merchant said. "But then we explain it and they understand."

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. The bacteria usually are transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces.

Most infected people suffer fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The illness tends to last four to seven days.

Fans of locally grown tomatoes have no reason to worry. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said yesterday that no tomatoes grown in the state are being harvested now.

Contact Louis Llovio at (804) 649-6348 or LLLovio@timesdispatch.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.