If you've felt sick from something you ate over the Thanksgiving holiday, was there any cucumber in it?
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Officials are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers sold in 35 states that have sickened more than 60 people and sent 18 people to the hospital.
In an update on Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the recall has been expanded to include three companies that received potentially contaminated cucumbers grown by Agrotato in Sonora, Mexico.
The recall now covers cucumbers sold in 35 states, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The recalled cucumbers were sold by importers between October 12 and November 26. Companies that received recalled cucumbers from importers could have sold recalled cucumbers past Nov. 26, the FDA noted. The cucumbers were sold at retailers including Walmart, Costco, Albertsons and Wegmans, among others.
As of Nov. 26, a total of 68 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 19 states, according to the FDA.
Of the 50 people for whom information is available, 18 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Of the 33 people interviewed, 27 (82%) reported eating cucumbers.
Arizona-based SunFed Produce was the first company to recall cucumbers over salmonella concerns on Nov. 27. The recall covers cucumbers in 26 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.
Baloian Farms, also based in Arizona, issued a recall on Nov. 29, covering cucumbers sold in 18 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Minnesota-based, Russ Davis issued a recall on Dec. 1, covering cucumbers in 11 states: Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Russ Davis also recalled multiple products containing cucumbers, including: Crazy Fresh Garden Salad W/Ranch Dressing, Quick & Easy Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing, Crazy Fresh Turkey Havarti Wrap, Quick & Easy Bacon Avocado Wrap, Crazy Fresh Bacon Avocado Wrap, and Kowalski's Market Garden Salad.
"FDA is working with the recalling firms and their direct customers to determine if additional downstream customer recalls are necessary. FDA is also working with additional importers that received cucumbers grown by Agrotato," the agency said.
Eating food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses.
Symptoms of salmonellosis include diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever, within six hours to six days after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts four to seven days.
Most people recover without treatment. In some cases, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness and sometimes fatal infections.
Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled cucumbers and products containing recalled cucumbers from SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms and Russ Davis. Recalled cucumbers may have a sticker that says "SunFed Mexico" or are packaged in a clear PamPak branded bag of six individual cucumbers with UPC 825401070106.
If you bought whole, fresh American/slicer cucumbers on or after October 12, 2024, and can't tell where they are from, ask your purchase location if they are part of the recall or throw them away.
Contact your health care provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled cucumbers.
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