In a press release on Thursday, September 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announces a recall of "slicer cucumbers" that came from Mexico and may have been contaminated with Salmonella Poona following more than 280 reported cases across 27 states.
The cucumbers are called slicers or American cucumbers. Unlike the other types of cucumbers, they are usually dark green and grow for about 7 inches, although some can be as long as 10 inches. They are usually eaten raw and fresh rather than pickled.
These recalled cucumbers are produced in Baja, Mexico, and distributed by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce. They are sold under the Limited Edition brand between August 1, 2015, and September 3, 2015. These cucumbers would arrive in cartons of green, yellow, and black with the brand's name on it. However, since these cucumbers are often placed in bulk bins in retail stores, they may not carry any label sticker, making it difficult to identify if the produce is part of the recall. The only way to do so is to ask the seller directly.
The FDA is also working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the local health officials to investigate and monitor the outbreak. Most of the reported Salmonella cases were found in California, where the produce company came from, Utah, and Arizona. The states affected by the outbreak included Texas, Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Idaho, Louisiana, Arkansas, Minnesota, New York, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Nebraska, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio, Washington, South Carolina, New Mexico, North Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, and Wyoming.
Among these case reports, at least 70% of the patients interviewed recalled eating the cucumbers a week before the symptoms began.
The different health agencies had already visited the produce facility and isolated the bacteria. They had also analyzed the leftover cucumbers in restaurants and stores where the patients might have bought or eaten the produce.
Salmonella can cause abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea at least 3 days after ingestion. Although many can be cured, the contamination is life threatening for children, seniors, and people with weak or compromised immune system.