The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning after a salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers sickened 162, resulting in 54 hospitalizations across 25 states.
The possible contamination originated from cucumbers grown in Florida and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. The company has issued a recall for whole cucumbers shipped to several states.
"Of the 65 people interviewed, 47 (72%) reported eating cucumbers," the CDC news release stated.
The recalled whole cucumbers were those shipped to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia from May 17th through May 21st, 2024.
"The recalled cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5-2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall," the U.S. Drug and Food Administration (FDA) said in a statement.
Officials urge people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled cucumbers while the investigation is ongoing.
"If you recently purchased cucumbers and have them at home, you can check with the store where you purchased them to see if they were part of the recall. If you can't tell, do not eat them," the CDC news release stated.
"Retailers and distributors that purchased recalled Fresh Start cucumbers should notify their customers of the recall," the FDA added.
Salmonella bacteria that live in the intestinal tracts of animals and birds typically cause infection in humans when they consume food or water contaminated with animal feces. Around 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States every year.
Some individuals might not exhibit symptoms from a salmonella infection, and most people recover without specific treatment. Common symptoms, which include diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, usually appear within three days of exposure to the bacteria.
In rare cases, salmonella infection can result in complications from bacteria entering the bloodstream and causing arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis. Young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at risk of serious infections which can also become fatal.
Individuals who have eaten cucumbers and developed symptoms should contact a healthcare provider if they experience high fever, diarrhea lasting more than three days, blood in the stool, inability to retain liquids due to vomiting, or signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, dizziness, and reduced urination.
