According to Newsweek , A Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers has led to 18 hospitalizations across the U.S. and a recall of affected products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A total of 68 people in 19 states have been infected by the outbreak, with no reported deaths as of yet.
The outbreak has been traced to cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico. Epidemiological investigations and traceback data suggest that cucumbers, including those sold by SunFed Produce, LLC, may be contaminated with Salmonella, leading to illness in consumers.
As a result, SunFed Produce has voluntarily recalled all sizes of its cucumbers sold in 26 U.S. states. The cucumbers were distributed between October 12 and November 26, 2024, and were sold in 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. The recall also extends to several Canadian provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
According to CDC data, the largest numbers of infections were reported in Montana (16 cases), Colorado (8 cases), Oregon (7 cases), and Washington, Texas, and Massachusetts (5 cases each). Smaller clusters were reported in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Utah, Wyoming, Alaska, California, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The CDC reports that 11 of the infected individuals fell ill on November 1, while others became sick before and after that date. The recalled cucumbers were sold during the period between October 12 and November 26, 2024, and are being pulled from stores due to the potential Salmonella contamination.
Consumers who purchased cucumbers during this period are advised to dispose of them immediately, especially if the origin is unknown. Businesses that may have sold the affected cucumbers are encouraged to notify customers and properly dispose of the product, as well as clean any surfaces that may have been contaminated.
Salmonella infections, also known as salmonellosis, typically cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and dehydration. Symptoms usually appear within 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and can last for 4 to 7 days. While most cases resolve without treatment, Salmonella infections can be severe, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. In severe cases, the infection can spread from the intestines to the bloodstream, causing potentially life-threatening complications.
The CDC and FDA recommend that anyone who experiences severe symptoms of Salmonella infection, such as prolonged diarrhea or high fever, should seek medical attention promptly. The FDA and SunFed Produce are working closely with authorities to investigate the source of the contamination and ensure that consumers are protected.
Craig Slate, President of SunFed, expressed the company’s commitment to consumer health and safety: “As soon as we learned of this issue, we immediately acted to protect consumers. We are working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the contamination. Food safety and consumer wellness have been our priorities for over 30 years, and we require all our growers to comply with FDA food safety standards.”
For those who have purchased the recalled cucumbers, the CDC advises contacting their point of purchase for a refund or further instructions.
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