March 28, 2024

Where Were Cucumbers Contaminated with Salmonella Sold?

Where were the recalled Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce cucumbers that may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria sold? These cucumbers are linked to an outbreak that has sickened at least 341 people in 30 states.

CucumbersThe recalled cucumbers have all been removed from stores but had been sold at some locations of the following stores: Walmart, Savemart, Food 4 Less , Winco and Ralphs. Other stores also may have sold them

The cucumbers were sold to consumers from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015. All cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” label by that company during that time period have been recalled.

The recalled cucumbers were imported from Baja, Mexico, and grown and packed by Rancho Don Juanito in Mexico. The cucumbers are known as “Limited Edition Pole Grown Cucumbers.” But the cucumbers are usually sold in bulk bins and may not be labeled or have any identifying marks.

The cucumbers are called “slicer” or “American” cucumbers. They are dark green, about 7 to 10 inches long, and 1.75 to 2.5 inches in diameter. These are not the narrow English cucumbers usually sold wrapped in plastic, or the small pickling cucumbers. No domestically-produced cucumbers are included in the recall at this time. Other produce import companies are under investigation at this time.

Washing will not remove all of the Salmonella bacteria from the surface of the fruit. In addition, we don’t know if the bacteria is on the peel or is in the flesh of the cucumber. Cross-contamination between the cucumber and other fruits and vegetables could also cause illness. If you purchased cucumbers since August 1, 2015 and aren’t sure if you purchased the recalled items, throw them out. Then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and clean the refrigerator or any place the cucumbers may have touched.

This outbreak has sickened at least 285 people (perhaps 291 people, if the case count from Arizona is correct) in 27 states and has killed one person. The cucumbers were distributed in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. They may have been shipped to other states as well.

Salmonella bacteria have been found at the Andrew & Williamson facility in California. Testing is pending on whether the bacteria is the outbreak strain.

Eleven illness clusters have been identified in seven states. In all of these clusters, cucumbers were the common food consumed before the patients got sick. Fifty three ill persons have been hospitalized. And 54% of ill persons are children younger than 18 years.

The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and possible blood in the stool. If you ate cucumbers, whether in a salad at a restaurant or at home, and have experienced these symptoms, please see your doctor. The complications of a Salmonella infection can be severe, including sepsis, or blood infection, and death.

Even if you recover without treatment, the long term consequences of a Salmonella infection can be serious. Survivors can suffer from reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and heart problems, including high blood pressure. Your doctor should know about this illness so she can watch for possible complications in the future.

The government is currently testing the bacteria to see if it is resistant to antibiotics. If so, the infections will be more serious and will be more difficult to treat.

 

This post was updated September 11.

Comments

  1. Are subway cucumbers affected by this? I had a sandwich with cucumbers on it in VA. Now I’m concerned

    • Linda Larsen says

      We don’t know exactly which restaurants received the cucumbers. Don’t worry too much – just watch yourself for the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, which include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. If you do get sick, see your doctor and tell her you ate cucumbers. Antibiotics can treat this infection.

  2. I am just curious and have not seen anything mentioned anywhere about this….so I have to ask…does this cucumber salmonella outbreak include pickles, as well??

    • Linda Larsen says

      The cucumbers recalled in this outbreak are slicer cucumbers that are not pickle sized. I have not heard of any pickle recalls.

  3. I purchased some on Sept 4th at Winco in Sparks Nevada….. should I dispose of them?

    • Linda Larsen says

      If I were you I would throw them out. It’s just better to be safe than sorry, and the cost of cucumbers is very small compared to the cost of getting sick.

  4. Henry sullivan says

    i am not sick but earlier today i ate a subway sandwich that had cucumbers in it and i was wondering does subway get their cucumbers from you guys

    • Linda Larsen says

      We don’t know all of the restaurants that used the cucumbers, since officials are still working on distribution. But Subway is not one of Andrew & Williamson customers.

      • I bought cucumbers at Super Walmart in Bryan, Tx. I called them last night and I was told their cucumbers were not in the recall. Were they sold in only a few stores?

        • Linda Larsen says

          Not all of the stores carried the cucumbers. We don’t have the distribution list yet. I hope the Walmart knows what they are talking about. If you belong to a high risk group (older than 65, chronic illness), you may want to just discard them anyway.

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