Salmonella outbreak leads to cucumber recall in Miss

The cucumbers were said to have been distributed in 24 states, but 33 states have reported salmonella cases linked to the vegetable.

The outbreak also has promoted Overwaitea Food Group, a Canadian grocery store operator, and Safeway to recall some cucumbers and products containing cucumbers from Canadian stores, although no salmonella illnesses linked to cukes have been reported in that country.

Some people have been hospitalized, but there haven’t been any reported deaths. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to 99, with a median age of 16, according to the CDC. The illness usually lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. Fifty-two per cent of the people who have been sickened are children.

Several recalls of cucumbers that may be contaminated with Salmonella have been announced as a result of this investigation.

Customers unsure whether their cucumbers have been recalled should ask their grocer.

The type of cucumber that has been recalled is often referred to as a “slicer” or “American” cucumber and is dark green in color. These cucumbers were sent to Custom Produce Sales from Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.

The San Diego firm recalled cucumbers it imported from Mexico and sold between August 1 and Sept 3 under the company’s Limited edition brand.

The recalled cucumbers were distributed in at least 21 other states: Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina and Utah. Further distribution to other states may have occurred.

At least one lawsuit in connection to this outbreak is now underway, according to Food Safety News.

The hospitalization rate is 29%, which is higher than the normal 20% in most Salmonella outbreaks.

For now, the best advice is to see a doctor if you have eaten cucumbers and have experienced the symptoms of a Salmonella infection.