Cucumbers Recalled In GA For Salmonella Risk: FDA

GEORGIA — Whole, fresh cucumbers shipped to 14 states, including Georgia, are being recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella, federal officials said.

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, is recalling cucumbers shipped to certain states from May 17 through May 21, due to the potential to be contaminated.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Healthy people infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

In rare cases, infection with salmonella can result in the organism entering the bloodstream and causing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons directly 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.

Fresh Start Produce Sales said that while the cucumbers are unlikely to be found “in the marketplace,” if you have the recalled cucumber, you “should not consume it and should destroy and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.”

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

The FDA recall notice does not say which stores would have received the cucumbers from there for sale to shoppers.

Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall.

The recall began after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture said a product sample tested positive for the bacteria. The FDA is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if this sample is related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation.

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.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-364-2993, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.