Fresh Start Produce Sales has issued a recall on whole cucumbers sold in more than a dozen states after some samples tested positive for salmonella.
The affected product lots were shipped between May 17 and May 21, according to a recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Potentially contaminated cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers and food service distributors in the following states:
Alabama
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Maryland
North Carolina
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Virginia
West Virginia
The recall was issued after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture discovered that sample cucumbers from Fresh Start Produce Sales showed the presence of salmonella, which can cause serious infections in children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In more serious cases, a salmonella infection can be fatal.
The FDA is currently conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if the contaminated samples are related to an ongoing salmonella outbreak investigation being undertaken by the agency.
"Although these cucumbers are unlikely in the marketplace, anyone with the recalled product should not consume it and should destroy and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund," the company said.
(Related: Cream Cheese sold at Hy-Vee and Aldi is also being recalled for possible salmonella contamination.)
Check your cucumbers if you live in an affected state
Fresh Start Produce Sales immediately notified all customers who received the recalled products directly to remove them from the distribution chain. The company also asked stores and wholesalers where the affected products were shipped to notify their customers as well.
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The reason for the FDA's separate press release is "to ensure that consumers are properly alerted," the company added.
Customers in the general public who may have inadvertently purchased a contaminated cucumber are also being urged to check with their local retailers to see what they should do.
Someone who consumes a salmonella-contaminated food product will typically start getting sick within 12 to 72 hours. The resulting infection can last anywhere from four to seven days.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. In very rare circumstances, salmonella can also make its way into the bloodstream resulting in more serious problems like arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.
We cannot help but notice the increased frequency of these alleged disease outbreaks of contaminated food. All of a sudden, the government is recalling and destroying all kinds of things including eggs, chicken, cucumbers, cream cheese and more.
"This has become a monthly, at least, situation with the food supply, if not even more frequent than that," observed a commenter at FOX Business.
"Thankfully my cucumber plants are healthy and thriving crawling up my trellis," wrote another about how he grows his own cucumbers at home to avoid these kinds of issues. "Grow your own and you know exactly what you get."
Another wrote that he and his family have stopped buying produce and processed foods from Mexico, Arizona and California because they feel as though too many foods from these states are making people sick lately.
"Please note that our government and media are now hiding where these products are coming from," this person added.
Others noted that since cucumbers are a solid vegetable with a tough outer skin, perhaps the easiest solution is simply to wash them well before consuming – or if someone is really concerned, they can peel off the skin and eat the inside.
Salmonella often spreads via feces that gets on food, perhaps from an employee failing to wash his or her hands after using the washroom. Salmonella contamination can also occur from animal feces as well.
More related news coverage can be found at CleanFoodWatch.com.
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