Cucumbers recalled due to Salmonella outbreak sickening over 20 individuals

Cucumber recall overview:

• Who: Bedner Growers and Fresh Start Produce Sales are recalling various grades of cucumbers.
• Why: The recall is due to Salmonella contamination that has affected more than 20 individuals.
• Where: The recall is active in 15 states, including Florida and New York.

Bedner Growers and Fresh Start Produce Sales have issued a recall of cucumbers following a Salmonella outbreak that has affected more than 20 people across 15 states. 

The cucumbers, distributed since April 29, have been linked to the illness, prompting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action.

The recall, announced by the FDA on May 20, highlighted that the cucumbers were distributed to various restaurants, wholesalers, retailers and distribution centers. 

The FDA’s investigation revealed that the cucumbers, labeled as “supers,” “selects” or “plains” may have been sold individually or in smaller packages, potentially without a consistent label. A follow-up inspection by the FDA confirmed the presence of Salmonella Montevideo in samples, matching clinical samples from those affected by the outbreak. 

“Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name or best by date,” the FDA warned.

Salmonella Montevideo, a strain of the Salmonella enterica bacterium, is a significant cause of foodborne illness in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that it leads to about 1.35 million infections annually. 

The outbreak has resulted in at least 26 cases in states such as Florida, Alabama and California, with nine hospitalizations reported. The FDA continues its investigation to trace the distribution of the contaminated cucumbers.

FDA urges caution amid cucumber contamination

The FDA has advised that any potentially contaminated cucumbers should be discarded immediately. 

“Consumers, restaurants and retailers who purchased or received potentially contaminated products, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched,” the recall notice states. 

Fresh Start Produce Sales has expressed its commitment to public health, stating that it is actively working with Bedner Growers to manage the recall. The company is reaching out to wholesale and regional distribution centers to ensure that recall instructions are communicated effectively.

To address the issue, Fresh Start Produce Sales is contacting its customers to provide recall instructions and notify consumer points of purchase. Consumers can also contact Bedner Growers, Inc. at 866-222-9180.

The FDA recommends that those who are unsure about the safety of their cucumbers should contact their suppliers or dispose of the cucumbers and sanitize storage areas.

Bedner Growers and Fresh Start Produce Sales are not currently facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes lead to class action lawsuits.

In related news, SunFed Produce has recalled all whole cucumbers sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26, 2024, due to potential salmonella contamination, affecting consumers across 26 U.S. states and multiple provinces in Canada. 

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

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