Consumers in 14 states have been put on high alert as a recall has been issued for cucumbers potentially tainted with salmonella. Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida is the source of the recall. The affected cucumbers were shipped to various distributors and wholesalers from May 17 through May 21, according to USA Today. States impacted by this recall include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The recall was initiated swiftly to prevent further potential contamination after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture notified Fresh Start Produce Sales that a sample of their product tested positive for salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has wasted no time to determine if there is a connection to an ongoing outbreak, with The FDA currently "conducting whole genome sequencing," as reported by Fox 5 Atlanta. However, the agency indicated it is unlikely that the contaminated produce reached grocery store shelves.
Salmonella is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to severe health issues, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as young children and the elderly. Symptoms typically begin six hours to six days after infection and include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. The FDA has provided guidelines on symptoms of salmonella, which include "bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than three days without improving" and "diarrhea and fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit," as per their notice.
If you believe you may have purchased these cucumbers, the FDA advises checking with your local retailer. Treatment for salmonella disease can involve hospitalization, especially for those in high-risk groups. The FDA warns that signs of dehydration, like infrequent peeing or a dry mouth, should be taken seriously. Identified symptoms should not be neglected and prompt medical attention should quickly be sought, USA Today emphasized.
