Whole cucumber recall issued due to possible salmonella contamination

Cucumber recall overview:

• Who: Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. recalled whole cucumbers.
• Why: The cucumbers may be contaminated with salmonella.
• Where: The recall is active in 14 U.S. states. 

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. recalled cartons of whole cucumbers shipped to more than a dozen states as they may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall comes as food safety regulators investigate a potential link to an outbreak that has sickened more than 140 people. 

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration website published the recall June 1. It applies to cucumbers shipped in bulk cartons in 14 states from May 17- 21 this year. 

Fresh Start shipped the cucumbers 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 company initiated the recall after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture tested one of the cucumbers and found it positive for the bacteria, the recall states. 

The FDA says it is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if the potentially contaminated cucumbers are related to an ongoing salmonella outbreak, according to the recall notice. The FDA has been investigating an outbreak of salmonella africana infections that has sickened at least 141 people. 

Immediately discard product, cucumber recall states

Consumers who may have any of the recalled cucumbers should throw them away or return them to the place of purchase for a refund, the recall states.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the recall.. 

The recalled cucumbers are dark green and approximately 1.5-2 inches in diameter and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in the recall, the company says.

Are you affected by this cucumber recall? Let us know in the comments.

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