Cucumbers being recalled in more than a dozen states may possibly be the source of an ongoing salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 141 people, according to federal regulators.
Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. issued the recall on May 31 for whole cucumbers shipped from May 17 through May 21.
While the company did not indicate how many cucumbers were included in the recall, it did say the products were shipped in bulk cartons to retail distribution centers, wholesalers and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
The recalled cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5 - 2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long.
"The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture informed the company that a product sample tested positive for the bacteria. The FDA is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if this sample is related to an ongoing salmonella outbreak investigation," the agency said in a public notice.
The FDA opened an investigation into an outbreak of Salmonella Africana on May 22. The outbreak has sickened at least 141 people, though the agency has not yet reported where the infected people live. A source of infection has not yet been determined but is under active investigation.
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 6 hours to 6 days after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 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.
The FDA said the recalled cucumbers are unlikely still in the marketplace. Anyone with the recalled product should throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.