Health agencies have warned many citizens in the US & Canada that they should not eat their cucumbers after the recall of SunFed-produced cucumbers that were shipped to retail and food stores in the following states “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..”, and provinces in Canada, “Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Ontario” (CNN Underscored).

SunFed Produce recalled the cucumbers that were sold during the time of October 12 – November 26, with the following details released by the FDA:

• Recalled product was packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the SunFed label in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that says Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.

• Retailers that have or had recalled product should clean and sanitize any areas that could have come into contact with recalled products. If recalled cucumbers were sold in bulk bins or displays, retailers should discard the contents and use extra care to clean and sanitize bins and displays before refilling.

• Retailers and distributors that received cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. through other importers should stop use of the product.

• Retailers that are unsure if they received recalled product may need to contact their supplier. (FDA)

It was said that as of this writing, 68 people in the 19 states that the cucumbers were shipped to had contracted salmonella, and at least 18 of those people had been hospitalized due to symptoms of the illness. 

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a form of bacteria called salmonellosis that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever. “Salmonella can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps, and when people eat raw or undercooked foods. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people. People with direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animals to food if they do not practice proper hand washing before handling food. Pets can also spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella” (FDA). 

Symptoms range from diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, with severe cases that may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases, may become fatal. As of right now, no deaths have been reported, with the President of SunFed, Craig Slate, stating in a statement Friday:

SUNFED PRODUCE, LLC RECALLS WHOLE FRESH AMERICAN CUCUMBERS

BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS DUE TO SALMONELLA

“As soon as we learned of this issue, we immediately acted to protect consumers. We are working closely with authorities and the implicated ranch to determine the possible cause,” said Craig Slate, President at SunFed. “Here at SunFed, food safety and consumer health and wellness have been our priorities for more than 30 years. We require all of our growers to strictly comply with the FDA food safety requirements.” (SunFed Press Release).

More updates to come.