Cucumbers Recalled in 26 States, Areas of Canada

A fresh salmonella outbreak has caused SunFed Produce to recall cucumbers across 26 U.S. states and parts of Canada, raising public health concerns.

At a Glance

SunFed Produce recalls cucumbers for potential salmonella contamination.
The recall affects products sold between October 12 and November 26.
The recall impacts 26 states in the U.S. and several Canadian provinces.
SunFed coordinates with authorities to trace the contamination source.

Details of the Recall

SunFed Produce, based in Arizona, issued a recall of whole fresh American cucumbers due to potential salmonella contamination. This recall affects products sold between October 12 and November 26. The cucumbers in question were distributed in 26 U.S. states, including Alaska and California, as well as parts of Canada like Alberta and Ontario.

The implicated cucumbers were packaged in bulk containers bearing the SunFed label or generic white boxes and black crates. The FDA traced the contamination back to Agrotato, S.A. de C.V., a grower in Sonora, Mexico. SunFed is actively working with authorities and Agrotato to determine the contamination cause.

Cucumbers distributed to more than two dozen US states and Canada are being recalled after reported illnesses from salmonella contamination. https://t.co/sEQnZ0NbBd

— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) November 30, 2024

Health and Safety Concerns

Salmonella infection symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, typically appearing six hours to six days after exposure. Nearly 70 individuals have fallen ill across 19 states, with 18 hospitalized. Consumers are urged to dispose of any recalled cucumbers and sanitize surfaces to prevent cross-contamination.

No deaths have been associated with this outbreak. However, consumers experiencing symptoms are advised to consult healthcare providers and contact SunFed’s recall hotline. Major retailers, including Walmart and Costco, have issued recalls and informed customers of the risks.

Consumer Action and Perspective

Salmonella infections account for around 1.35 million illnesses annually in the U.S., illustrating the need for vigilance. Public health authorities emphasize the importance of not only disposing of affected products but also cleaning potentially contaminated surfaces.

“As soon as we learned of this issue, we immediately acted to protect consumers. We are working closely with authorities and the implicated ranch to determine the possible cause,” SunFed President Craig Slate said.

This cucumber recall coincides with other food safety alerts, including recalls for eggs and carrots. Understanding these risks and taking preventive actions is essential to safeguard public health amid ongoing investigations and recalls.