Health officials reported Wednesday that cucumbers contaminated with salmonella bacteria may have sickened and hospitalized dozens across at least 25 U.S. states.
Testing detected the salmonella bacteria in cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce of Delray Beach, Florida, leading the company to recall whole cucumbers shipped from May 17 to May 21.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of 162 people falling ill with salmonella potentially linked to the recalled cucumbers between March 11 and May 16.
Stock image - Not actual photo
Cucumbers were sold in bulk to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in 14 states, but these sellers may have shipped to additional states or re-packaged them for stores.
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
At least 54 people have been hospitalized - Thankfully, no deaths have been reported.
Consumers are advised not to eat the recalled cucumbers.
Anyone who has purchased cucumbers recently should check with their retailer to see if they are part of the recall.
All items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the produce should be washed thoroughly using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
The CDC and FDA are also investigating a separate outbreak of a different salmonella strain that has sickened at least 158 people across nearly two dozen states. While the two outbreaks share similarities, it is unclear if they are connected.
Salmonella can cause symptoms including diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within 6 hours to 6 days of ingestion.
Most people recover without treatment within a week, but young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill.
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