An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections traced to imported cucumbers has ended with 113 patients confirmed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the first outbreak patients developed symptoms in mid-October. The most recent person became ill on Dec. 7. The Food and Drug Administration first reported the outbreak on Nov. 26 when 68 people had been confirmed as outbreak patients.

On Nov. 27, 2024, SunFed Produce LLC initiated a recall of whole cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico. On Nov. 29, 2024, Baloian Farms initiated a voluntary recall of all sizes of cucumbers that were grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.  

At least a dozen products containing sliced or otherwise ready-to-eat cucumbers were recalled in relation to the outbreak. According to the FDA, all implicated cucumbers and related products have expired and are no longer on the market. The cucumbers were distributed nationwide in the United States and Canada.

Outbreak patients lived in 23 states. Of 99 people for whom information was available, 28 required hospitalization. That is a higher than usual percentage suggesting that the strain of Salmonella was particularly virulent. No deaths were reported. Of 69 people interviewed, 56 reported eating cucumbers before becoming sick.

There were probably many more people sickened in the outbreak than were confirmed. For every confirmed Salmonella illnesses, 29 others go unconfirmed, according to the CDC. This is because some patients do not seek medical attention and others are not specifically tested for Salmonella infection.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

The number of patients in an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections traced to cucumbers from Mexico has jumped from 68 to 100.

The implicated cucumbers, distributed by importers SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms and Russ Davis Wholesale, have been recalled and should no longer be available for sale. A number of products containing cucumbers, such as deli trays and salads, have also been recalled. Click here for a list of recalled products.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that 100 people have been confirmed in the outbreak. They are spread across 23 states. Of 90 people for whom information is available, 25 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. 

Of 67 people interviewed so far, 54 remembered eating cucumbers before becoming ill. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Oct. 12 to Nov. 23. The patients rang in age from 1 to 98 years old.

There are likely many more outbreak patients than have been confirmed. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that for every Salmonella infection confirmed in an outbreak, there are 29 patients who go unconfirmed. This is because some patients do not seek medical treatment and others are not specifically tested for Salmonella. 

The CDC has identified seven illness sub-clusters at three assisted living facilities, three school districts, and one restaurant.

“An illness sub-cluster is a group of unrelated people who all ate at the same location or event, such as a restaurant, long-term care facility, or school. Investigating sub-clusters can help identify a food item eaten by all the sick people that could be the source of the outbreak. Cucumbers were served at these seven sub-cluster locations,” according to the CDC.

The implicated grower is “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.,” The recalled cucumbers were sold from Oct. 12 through Nov. 26.

The whole fresh American cucumbers were shipped to customers in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

The cucumbers may have been further distributed.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate multiple foodborne outbreaks.

For an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to a blend of iceberg and romaine chopped lettuce, the patient count has increased to 86, up from 75 a week ago. The sick people are spread across 12 states, and the Food and Drug Administration is not yet reporting which states are involved.

Illnesses began in mid-November, and the FDA first reported the outbreak on Dec. 4.

The FDA is not naming the lettuce supplier, even though they have identified it.

The FDA reports that the unnamed supplier sold a mix of iceberg and romaine lettuce to caterers, restaurants, and schools. Although the CDC is involved in the investigation, the agency has not yet added the situation to its outbreak list.

The FDA suggests that the supplier is not being named because all of the impacted lettuce should be off the market at this point. The agency has initiated an inspection of the supplier.

“FDA’s traceback investigation has identified an iceberg and romaine lettuce blend from a common supplier as the source of this outbreak; however, the impacted product identified to date appears to be past shelf life and no longer on the market. FDA is continuing to work with the supplier to determine if any additional product could be impacted,” according to a statement from the agency.

According to the FDA, there does not “appear” to be an ongoing risk to consumers. The agency does not recommend that consumers avoid iceberg or romaine lettuce.

In other outbreak news, the patient count in an E. coli O145:H28 outbreak has increased to 8, up from 7 a week ago. The FDA is not reporting where the patients live. The FDA first reported the outbreak on Dec. 11. The agency has begun traceback efforts but is not yet reporting what food is being traced.

For an outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections traced to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the outbreak over. The FDA investigation has ended, but it is still consulting with Grimmway Farms to ensure that another outbreak does not occur. There were 48 patients confirmed across 19 states, 20 of whom required hospitalization. One patient died, and another developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure and brain damage.

An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections traced to cucumbers from Mexico continues, having so far sickened 68 people with 18 of them requiring hospitalization. The numbers were distributed nationwide, and outbreak patients have been confirmed in 19 states from coast to coast. The FDA first reported the outbreak on Nov. 27. Importers SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms and Russ Davis distributed the cucumbers to other companies, including retailers. Several companies have initiated recalls about the outbreak. 

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

Dairyland Produce, LLC, (doing business as Hardie’s Fresh Foods) of Houston, TX and Dallas, TX is recalling Cucumber Select 6 count, because of potential Salmonella contamination.

The recall was the result of their supplier recalling cucumbers from SunFed Produce, LLC that were associated with reported illnesses associated with possible Salmonella contamination.

The cucumbers were distributed to Costco locations in Houston, TX and Dallas, TX.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Recalled product:

Cucumber Select 6 CT

  • The affected cucumbers are in clear plastic bags with labels
  • Affected cucumbers will be labeled with the following lot codes: X2377074, X2379602, X2381000, X2381080, X2383400, X2384557, and X2384587.

Consumers who have purchased these cucumbers are urged to not consume the products and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Walmart Inc. is recalling Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices, produced in select stores because of potential Salmonella contamination. 

This recall was initiated because the product may contain recalled whole cucumbers supplied by SunFed Produce, LLC, which initiated a recall after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified SunFed that the cucumbers described above were associated with reported salmonellosis illnesses between Oct. 12 – Nov. 15, 2024.

The Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices, produced in select stores, were available at 34 Walmart stores located in Texas.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Recalled products:

Store List for Recall —

  • Store Number: 2918
    • Address: 730 W EXCHANGE PKWY, ALLEN, TX
  • Store Number: 827
    • Address: 603 E HIGHWAY 243, CANTON, TX
  • Store Number: 240
    • Address: 2701 STATE HIGHWAY 50, COMMERCE, TX
  • Store Number: 5823
    • Address: 6185 RETAIL RD, DALLAS (SKILL), TX
  • Store Number: 8930
    • Address: 15757 COIT RD, DALLAS, TX
  • Store Number: 2427
    • Address: 9301 FOREST LN, DALLAS, TX
  • Store Number: 5191
    • Address: 802 E US HIGHWAY 80, FORNEY, TX
  • Store Number: 202
    • Address: 16066 STATE HIGHWAY 121, FRISCO CUSTER & 121, TX
  • Store Number: 3224
    • Address: 555 W INTERSTATE 30, GARLAND (SE), TX
  • Store Number: 1055
    • Address: 5302 N GARLAND AVE, GARLAND, TX
  • Store Number: 146
    • Address: 1102 US HIGHWAY 271 NORTH, GILMER, TX
  • Store Number: 427
    • Address: 7401 INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 30, GREENVILLE, TX
  • Store Number: 4164
    • Address: 300 KINGS FORT PKWY, KAUFMAN, TX
  • Store Number: 3764
    • Address: 105 CENTENNIAL BLVD, LINDALE, TX
  • Store Number: 3828
    • Address: 4006 ESTES PKWY, LONGVIEW, TX
  • Store Number: 5672
    • Address: 2662 W LUCAS RD, LUCAS, TX
  • Store Number: 5211
    • Address: 5001 MCKINNEY RANCH PKWY, MCKINNEY (SW), TX
  • Store Number: 789
    • Address: 200 US HIGHWAY 80 E, MESQUITE, TX
  • Store Number: 251
    • Address: 135 NE LOOP 564, MINEOLA, TX
  • Store Number: 131
    • Address: 2311 S JEFFERSON AVE, MOUNT PLEASANT, TX
  • Store Number: 2973
    • Address: 115 WEST FM 544, MURPHY, TX
  • Store Number: 2883
    • Address: 8801 OHIO DR, PLANO (N), TX
  • Store Number: 1117
    • Address: 6001 N CENTRAL EXPY, PLANO, TX
  • Store Number: 7178
    • Address: 701 W PRINCETON DR, PRINCETON, TX
  • Store Number: 4215
    • Address: 8801 STATE HIGHWAY 34 S, QUINLAN, TX
  • Store Number: 259
    • Address: 782 E INTERSTATE 30, ROCKWALL, TX
  • Store Number: 3225
    • Address: 2501 LAKEVIEW PKWY, ROWLETT, TX
  • Store Number: 5987
    • Address: 494 W INTERSTATE 30, ROYSE CITY, TX
  • Store Number: 5673
    • Address: 8015 WOODBRIDGE PKWY, SACHSE, TX
  • Store Number: 417
    • Address: 1750 S BROADWAY ST, SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX
  • Store Number: 265
    • Address: 1900 W MOORE AVE, TERRELL, TX
  • Store Number: 6467
    • Address: 450 S SOUTHEAST LOOP 323, TYLER (HWY 31), TX
  • Store Number: 1022
    • Address: 3820 STATE HIGHWAY 64 W, TYLER (W), TX
  • Store Number: 5210
    • Address: 2050 N HIGHWAY 78, WYLIE, TX

Product details —

  • Product Name: Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices
  • UPC/PLU: 62969
  • Average Unit Weight: 1.5 lbs
  • Date Codes: All date codes up to 12/1/2024
  • Distribution: Refer to store list above.

Consumers should check to see if they have recalled Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices. Anyone with the recalled product in their possession should not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute the recalled product.  They should also clean and sanitize surfaces that could have come into contact with the recalled product to reduce cross-contamination. Recalled products should be thrown out or destroyed so they may not be consumed or returned to the point of purchase.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Supreme Service Solutions LLC. (dba Supreme Produce) of Farmers Branch, TX is assisting in a Kroger Store recall for cucumbers purchased from Sunfed Produce LLC Recall (purchased from Kroger Stores) because of possible contamination with Salmonella. 

The potential contamination was discovered by SunFed who initiated their recall after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified SunFed that the cucumbers described above were associated with reported salmonellosis illnesses between Oct. 12 – Nov. 15, 2024.

Recalled produce was distributed in Kroger and King Soopers retail stores located in Texas and Colorado.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Recalled Products:

Large Vegetable Tray (42 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894571
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Vegetable Bowl ($5)

  • Barcode UPC: 850065403380
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 11/27/2024

Vegetable Bowl ($10, 26 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 860010507131
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Vegetable Ranch Tray (No Dip, Small, 19.50 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894335
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Chef Salad

  • Barcode UPC: 850065403328
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 11/27/2024

Family Cobb Salad (22 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894625
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 11/27/2024

Individual Garden Salad (12 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894618
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 11/27/2024

Individual Greek Salad (12 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894649
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 11/27/2024

Family Garden Salad (24 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894601
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 11/27/2024

Individual Cobb Salad (11 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894632
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Southwest Salad (11 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850065403069
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Cucumber with Ranch Snack Cup

  • Barcode UPC: 850065403144
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Cucumber Slices with Tajin (10 oz)

  • Barcode UPC: 850053685699
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Cucumber Bowl with Ranch Dip

  • Barcode UPC: 850054894519
  • Best By Date: 11/22 to 12/6/2024

Products are packaged in clear-plastic grab-n-go containers of various sizes with the appearance of cut produce. Retail packaged items: Best By Date is located on package bottom label.

As of the posting of this recall, there have been no illnesses or consumer complaints reported to date for items purchased from Supreme. The company ceased the production of items utilizing the recalled cucumbers and completed sanitation procedures.

Consumers should not consume and instead should discard the product. The products involved are past their shelf life and should already be out of distribution, but if consumers have any product they question, discard it.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Already under recall in the United States, whole cucumbers from Mexico and distributed by SunFed LLC are now being recalled in Canada.

The cucumbers have been linked to a Salmonella outbreak in the United States that has sickened 68 people across 19 states. As of Dec. 3, no illnesses had been confirmed in Canada in relation to the cucumbers.

 The cucumbers under recall in Canada were distributed in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “SunFed” label or in a white boxes or black plastic crates with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.” The cucumbers may have been sold loose or in bulk without a brand name, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

SunFed reports having distributed the cucumbers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Tha Canadian Food Inspection agency is reporting that the recalled cucumbers may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

The recalled cucumbers were sold from Oct. 12 to Nov. 29. There is concern that consumers may still have the implicated cucumbers in their homes.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

Russ Davis Wholesale of Wadena, MN, is recalling multiple products sold under several brands because they contain recalled cucumbers from Baloian Farms which have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The recalled products include bulk items, individual wraps and individual salads, according to the company’s recall notice posted by the Food and Drug Administration.

Baloian Farms recalled its cucumbers because they were supplied by SunFed which recalled its cucumbers in connection with an outbreak that has sickened at least 68 people across 19 states.

The recalled Russ Davis items were distributed to foodservice and retail customers in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Russ Davis products come in clear plastic packages of various sizes marked with a 7-digit lot code preceded by an “X” on the top labeling and a sell by or use by date located on the same label. Click here for a list of affected lot codes and photos of product labels. A table of impacted items is below.

No illnesses have been reported to Russ Davis Wholesale in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after trace forward indicated that Baloian Farms cucumbers had been processed and distributed through Russ Davis Wholesale.

Due to the age of the recalled items, it is unlikely that any product remains in stores or in customer homes. Consumers should dispose of any product on hand. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 877-433-2173.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

Baloian Farms of Arizona Co., Inc. (Baloian) is recalling whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Baloian initiated this recall after learning from SunFed Produce, LLC, that its supplier of American cucumbers, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.,” may be associated with reported salmonellosis illnesses between Oct. 12 and Nov. 15, 2024. Discussions with the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) confirmed this.

The recalled cucumbers were sold between Oct. 12, 2024, through Nov. 26, 2024.

The whole fresh American cucumbers were sold by Baloian and other importers and shipped to customers located in the states of California, Arizona, Texas, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Colorado, Kansas, New York, Massachusetts, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Alaska and the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. The cucumbers would have reached consumers through food service and retail outlets that may be located in states other than those listed above.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Recalled product:

  • All sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “Pamela” brand, a generic white box with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.,” or a clear PamPak branded bag of 6 individual cucumbers with the UPC 8 2540107010 6.

Consumers should check to see if they have recalled whole fresh American cucumbers. Anyone with the recalled American cucumbers in their possession should not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute them; we also encourage consumers to clean and sanitize surfaces that could have come into contact with the recalled product to reduce cross contamination.

Recalled products should be thrown out or destroyed so they may not be consumed or returned to the point of purchase. If you think you have consumed a recalled product and do not feel well, contact your healthcare provider.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

SunFed initiated a recall after the Food and Drug Administration notified SunFed that its cucumbers were associated with reported salmonellosis illnesses between Oct. 12 and Nov. 15.

As of Nov.26, a total of 68 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella had been reported from 19 states. Of the 50 people for whom information is available, 18 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. 

SunFed Produce LLC is recalling all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “SunFed” label or in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.,” (see here for photos). The recalled cucumbers were sold from Oct. 12, 2024, through Nov. 26, and are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The whole fresh American cucumbers were sold by SunFed and other importers and shipped to customers located in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

The cucumbers would have reached consumers through foodservice and retail outlets that may be located in states other than those listed above.

The individual whole American cucumbers may also have a PLU sticker. Consumers should take the following actions:

• Check to see if you have recalled whole fresh American cucumbers (photo below)

• Anyone with the recalled product in their possession should not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products, We also encourage them to clean and sanitize surfaces that could have come into contact with the recalled product to reduce cross-contamination.

• Recalled products should be thrown out or destroyed so they may not be consumed or returned to the point of purchase.

• Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled product are advised to contact their retailer.

• If you think you have consumed a recalled product and do not feel well, contact your healthcare provider.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)