Check your fridge or produce drawer before you slice up cucumbers for a salad, because they have been recalled across 14 states.
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. announced with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that it is recalling whole cucumbers due to the potential for them to be contaminated with salmonella.
Details of cucumber recall
“The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture informed the company that a product sample tested positive for the bacteria,” the recall stated. “The FDA is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if this sample is related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation.”
The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons from May 17 to 21, directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers and food service distributors in 14 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. recalled whole cucumbers shipped to 14 states due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
FDA
The company did not say if any illnesses have been linked to the recalled cucumbers.
Fresh Start Produce Sales said in the recall notice with the FDA that it “has notified customers who received the recalled product directly from the company and requested that they remove it from commerce.”
“We have also asked our direct customers to notify their customers of this recall. Fresh Start Produce Sales is issuing this press release and keeping the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed of its recall process to ensure that consumers are properly alerted,” the company wrote.
Cucumber product information for recalled produce
The recalled cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, and 5 to 9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall.
What to do with recalled cucumbers
Consumers should first check with their local retailer or place of purchase to find out if the recalled cucumbers were in fact sold at the store where they shop.
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“Although these cucumbers are unlikely in the marketplace, anyone with the recalled product should not consume it,” the company said in the recall notice, adding that consumers with any cucumbers should “destroy and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.”
Consumers with additional questions may contact the company at a toll-free number.
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. recalled whole cucumbers shipped to 14 states due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
FDA
Potential health impacts, symptoms of salmonella
Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms typically begin six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria.
Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days. But some — especially children younger than 5 and adults 65 years and older, or people with weakened immune systems — may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization, the CDC states.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall alert for whole, fresh cucumbers in 14 states due to possible salmonella contamination. The affected cucumbers were distributed by a California-based company and sold in various grocery stores and farmers markets.
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning in humans. Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. In severe cases, the infection can lead to dehydration and even death, especially in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
The recall affects cucumbers that were sold between May 17 and June 10 in the following states: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah. Consumers are advised to check the packaging of any whole, fresh cucumbers they have purchased during this time frame to determine if they are part of the recall.
If you have purchased any of the recalled cucumbers, the FDA recommends that you do not consume them and instead return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Additionally, it is important to thoroughly wash and sanitize any surfaces or utensils that may have come into contact with the cucumbers to prevent the spread of salmonella.
The FDA is working with the company involved in the recall to investigate the source of the contamination and prevent any further cases of illness. In the meantime, consumers are urged to be cautious when handling and consuming fresh produce and to always wash fruits and vegetables before eating them.
If you believe you have become ill from consuming contaminated cucumbers or have any concerns about food safety, it is recommended that you contact your healthcare provider and report your symptoms to your local health department. Stay informed about food recalls and take necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses.
