FDA Probes Cucumber Recall in Salmonella Outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a potential connection between a recent cucumber recall and a salmonella outbreak that has affected numerous individuals across the United States. Health officials have reported dozens of hospitalizations spanning half of the states.

As of Wednesday, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have received reports of 162 cases of salmonella infection in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Among these cases, 54 individuals required hospitalization. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported thus far.

In their investigation, the FDA found that 47 out of 65 interviewed individuals who fell ill reported consuming cucumbers. Additionally, both agencies are looking into another salmonella outbreak involving a different strain, with 158 reported cases in 23 states. This outbreak shares similarities in terms of the locations and timing of the illnesses, as well as the demographics of those affected.

Authorities are working to determine if these cases are linked and if they are tied to cucumbers previously distributed by Fresh Start Produce. The company issued a recall in 14 states after a sample tested positive for salmonella. However, the FDA warned that affected cucumbers might have been shipped to additional states.

The FDA noted that the grower responsible for supplying the cucumbers is no longer harvesting for the season. It’s important to note that salmonella is a bacterium that causes gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms usually develop between 12 and 72 hours after infection and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. While most people recover without treatment within a week, more severe cases can lead to high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, and even death, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children under five, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Fresh Start Produce, based in Delray, Florida, issued a voluntary recall after one of its cucumbers tested positive for salmonella. The affected cucumbers were shipped from May 17 to May 21 to 14 states. The company stated that it was unlikely that any affected cucumbers were still in stores but advised consumers to check with retailers to verify if the cucumbers had been sold.