A salmonella outbreak has sickened close to 1,000 people nationwide, with many health officials pointing an accusing finger at a fruit favorite and salad star: the tomato. While federal officials debate the source of the scare, a walk around town revealed if the people of Hackensack feel the fear.

Lives in Hackensack

"From what I’m hearing, it may not be the tomatoes. It might have been something else. It might have been the mayonnaise they put on them or salad dressing or something like that. Who knows? Why blame a fruit or a vegetable? How could something have salmonella when it’s grown from the earth? Why persecute the tomato?"

Works in Hackensack

"Yes, I expect to die of tomatoes. After I die of drink, living hard and driving fast. It’s probably about number 400 on my list."

Works in Hackensack

"I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of eating tomatoes, but it definitely concerns me that there have been hundreds of cases of people getting sick. Salmonella is no joke. I don’t think that there have been many cases around here, so I guess that the odds are in my favor that I won’t be catching salmonella anytime soon. But you should watch out."

Works in Hackensack

"I’m absolutely not afraid of tomatoes. We have certain problems in our food supply. As a restaurant owner, you have to know where your stuff comes from and that people are reputable. But there is nothing that would scare me. As long as you wash them and keep up with the news, there is really no reason to be afraid of tomatoes. Tomatoes are great! We should probably be eating them more now more than ever."

Works in Hackensack

"You read the articles a lot in the paper and you follow the stories. But I have enough confidence in our government that if they let the food establishment put something on plate, I’ll eat it."