Cucumbers Recalled in 14 States Over Salmonella Risk

Fresh Start Produce Sales — a company out of Florida that specializes in “bell peppers, cabbage, squash, cucumbers, sweet corn, and variety peppers” — is recalling its whole cucumbers due to an increased risk of Salmonella.

On Saturday, June 1, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its report stating that the whole cucumbers were shipped from May 17 through May 21 to various states and retailers. 

“The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons … directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia,” the FDA’s report noted.

The FDA stated that the recalled cucumbers are “approximately 1.5–2.0 inches in diameter and 5–9 inches long,” noting that “mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall.”

According to the FDA, the cucumbers involved in the recall are “unlikely” to be in the marketplace. However, if you happen to have purchased one of the recalled cucumbers, the FDA urges you to destroy it or discard it immediately. Consumers can also return to the place of purchase for a refund. 

As part of this recall, the FDA announced it’s “conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if this sample is related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation.” The ongoing investigation, USA Today explained, is part of an outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections, which have sickened more than 140 people in undisclosed locations.

As for what happens if you contract Salmonella, the FDA explained that in otherwise healthy adults, Salmonella often causes “fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.” However, it added that in “rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.”

The Mayo Clinic also noted that in some people, Salmonella has no symptoms, but most will develop some systems within eight to 72 hours after exposure. 

However, the administration noted that the situation is a bit more dire for those with weakened immune systems, young children, frail or elderly people, so these groups or their caregivers need to remain more vigilant.