Cucumber Recall In U.S. And Canada

A recent recall of cucumbers distributed to over two dozen US states and Canada has been linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak. Health agencies are warning consumers that the contaminated cucumbers may still be in people’s refrigerators and should not be eaten.

The recall was announced by SunFed Produce, which distributed the cucumbers to foodservice and retail outlets. The cucumbers were grown in Sonora, Mexico, and were shipped to customers in several states, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

As of the latest update, 68 people in 19 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. Eighteen of the infected individuals have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. The last date of illness reported was November 16.

The recalled cucumbers should be thrown out or destroyed, and surfaces that came into contact with the recalled products should be cleaned and sanitized. Consumers are advised to check the stickers on their cucumbers to see if they were grown in Mexico. If the sticker shows “SunFed Mexico” as the place of origin, the cucumbers should be discarded or returned to the location where they were purchased.

Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhea and bloody diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms can start within hours or days of consuming the bacteria. Most people will recover with specific treatment, but severe symptoms require immediate attention from a healthcare provider.

Children, elderly individuals, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become severely ill. Consumers are advised to seek medical attention immediately if they experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or severe headache.

The recall and outbreak investigation are ongoing, and health agencies are working to determine the cause of the contamination. In the meantime, consumers are advised to exercise caution and discard any recalled cucumbers to prevent further illness.

It is essential for consumers to be aware of the recall and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working closely with state and local health authorities to investigate the outbreak and identify the source of the contamination.

The CDC recommends that consumers take the following steps to protect themselves:

– Check the stickers on cucumbers to see if they were grown in Mexico.

– Discard any recalled cucumbers or return them to the location where they were purchased.

– Clean and sanitize surfaces that came into contact with the recalled products.

– Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any cucumbers.

– Cook cucumbers thoroughly before eating them.

By taking these precautions, consumers can reduce their risk of becoming infected with salmonella and protect themselves and their families from foodborne illness.

The recall of cucumbers due to salmonella contamination serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the need for consumers to be aware of the risks associated with certain foods. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, consumers can protect themselves and their families from foodborne illness.