Cucumber recall in 14 states as warning issued to customers

A Florida company is recalling whole cucumbers that were shipped to 14 states last month because they could be contaminated with salmonella.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared the announcement from Fresh Start Produce Sales on its website on Saturday.

The company, based in Delray, said the recalled cucumbers were shipped 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, from May 17 through May 21.

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The cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, and 5 to 9 inches long, according to the notice. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in the recall.

The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture informed the company that a product sample tested positive for salmonella.

“The FDA is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if this sample is related to an ongoing salmonella outbreak investigation,” the notice said.

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The FDA is investigating an outbreak of salmonella africana that has affected at least 141 people, but the product or products linked to the illnesses have not yet been identified.

Salmonella infections can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. Some people’s illnesses may be severe enough to require hospitalization and, in rare cases, they can be fatal.

“Although these cucumbers are unlikely [to be found] in the marketplace, anyone with the recalled product should not consume it and should destroy and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund,” the notice from Fresh Start Produce Sales said.

“Consumers should check with their retailer or place of purchase to determine whether the recalled cucumbers were sold where they shop.”

The company said it had notified customers who received the recalled product directly and requested they remove it from sale points and commercial activities. The company has also asked its direct clients to notify their customers about the recall.

Anyone needing additional information can contact the company at 1-888-364-2993, Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET.

Recalls are usually issued if there are concerns that a product may be harmful to consumers in some way, such as if they could be contaminated or if mislabeled products fail to disclose allergens.

In recent days, ground beef, ice cream and pies have been recalled over contamination fears.