A Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers continues to sicken people despite recalls issued months ago and an import ban on cucumbers from the implicated Mexican farm. How is this possible? Food Poisoning Bulletin asked this question months ago when the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued previous updates. Recalls for implicated cucumbers, which have a shelf a life of about two weeks, were issued in September. And symptoms of a Salmonella infection usually appear within six to 72 hours of exposure. Yet, people sickened by the three outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona have reported onset of illness as recently as this month. Although illnesses have been reported since July 2015, this outbreak was announced by the CDC on September … [Read more...]
What Stores Sold Recalled Cucumbers from Thomas Produce
Thomas Produce Company of Boca Raton, FL is recalled 174 bulk-packed containers of cucumbers that may be contaminated with Salmonella. But where were they sold? Recall information from the company does not specify which stores sold the recalled cucumbers, only that they were distributed in Florida and Georgia. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhea that can be bloody, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The recalled cucumbers were sold in 166 cardboard bushel boxes with one of the following lot numbers ink-jet printed on the side: 1554311JDNK, 1554311HDNK, and 15143115DNK. They were also distributed in bulk cardboard bins (4 ft x 4 ft) tagged with codes 15NKJD-1554311-D, 15NKHD-1554311-D, and 15NK5D-1514311-D. The recall notice was issued after a positive … [Read more...]
Two Months After Recall, Salmonella Cucumber Outbreak Continues to Grow
Federal health officials have a bit of a mystery on their hands. A Salmonella outbreak linked to imported cucumbers is continuing to grow even though the products identified as the source of the outbreak were recalled from the market more than two months ago. Cucumbers have a shelf a life of about two weeks and symptoms of a Salmonella infection usually appear within six to 72 hours of exposure. So, health officials aren't sure why new illnesses continue to develop. Two recalls have been issued for cucumbers linked to this outbreak. The first, on September 4, 2015, by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce for cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” brand label during the period from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015. The second on September 11, 2015 by Custom Produce Sales … [Read more...]
Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak Grows Again, 767 Sick
At least 767 people in 36 states are now part of the Salmonella outbreak linked to imported cucumbers. Since the last update on October 6, the outbreak has expanded to a new state, Florida, and 35 new cases from 14 states have been added. There have been four deaths and 157 hospitalizations. About 50 percent of those sickened are children under 18. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) say the outbreak, which they have linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, is ongoing. Two cucumber recalls have been issued. The first, on September 4, 2015, by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce for cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” brand label during the period from … [Read more...]
Salmonella in Cucumbers Sickens 85 in Arizona, 1 Dead
Salmonella in cucumbers has sickened at least 85 people in Arizona, killing one of them, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The cases, which have been reported from Apache, Coconino, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, and Yuma counties, are part of a 33-state outbreak that has sickened 558 people. The outbreak has been linked to cucumbers grown in Mexico and distributed in the U.S. by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego, California. Three strains of Salmonella Poona are associated with this outbreak. Four state health departments – Arizona, California, Montana, and Nevada – have isolated Salmonella from Andrew & Williamson cucumbers collected from various locations. The Nevada, Arizona and Montana health departments have all isolated outbreak strains from … [Read more...]
Salmonella Cucumber Outbreak Spreads to 31 States, 418 Sick
The cucumber Salmonella outbreak has grown to include 418 illnesses in 31 states. At least 91 people have been hospitalized and two have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contaminated cucumbers have been recalled from retail locations. But before September 3, these dark green cucumbers, called “slicer” or “American” cucumbers, which are about 7 to 10 inches long, and about 1.75 to 2.5 inches in diameter, were sold in grocery stores in bulk bins with no individual packaging, labeling, or wrapping. Restaurants also served them. Health officials used epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations to identify cucumbers from Baja Mexico, distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego as the likely source of this … [Read more...]
Two Dead in Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak
Two women have died in the multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Poona linked to cucumbers grown in Mexico. One was from Texas, the other from California. They were among the 341 people in 30 states who have been sickened by contaminated cucumbers. Both women were in high-risk categories for Salmonella infection which includes children, seniors, those with compromised immune systems and those with serious underlying health conditions. One of the women was 99 years old, the other had underlying health conditions, according to health officials. The cucumbers in question are called “slicer” or “American” cucumbers. They are dark green, about 7 to 10 inches long, and about 1.75 to 2.5 inches in diameter. In grocery stores they are usually sold in bulk bins with no individual … [Read more...]
In Minnesota, Four Salmonella Outbreaks in Two Months
Minnesota has been struck by four Salmonella outbreaks in the last two months. Together these outbreaks, linked to frozen breaded chicken products, cucumbers and produce have sickened 66 people. In July, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced two separate Salmonella outbreaks linked to frozen, breaded chicken products. The first outbreak was linked to raw, frozen stuffed chicken entrees produced by Barber Foods. Six people were sickened, two were hospitalized. The illnesses were reported from April 5 through June 8 among case patients ranging in age from 19 to 82 years. All of the cases were reported in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Barber has issued a recall for the product which was sold at Sam’s Club s stores in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois and at other … [Read more...]
Salmonella Cucumbers Sold at Red Lobster, Walmart
There is a large Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. Customers of that company are listed on the corporate website. For now, we know that the cucumbers were sold to consumers at Red Lobster restaurants and select Walmart stores. The report from the Minnesota Department of Health lists Red Lobster, and Walmart has posted the recall on their web site. Other stores and restaurants listed as customers at the Andrew & Williamson site include In-N-Out Burgers, Save Mart Supermarkets, Sam's Club, The Capital Grille, United Supermarkets, Albertson's, H-E-B, Safeway, Kroger, Olive Garden, Costco, and Fresh & Easy. The recalled cucumbers may or may not have been sold at those outlets. The cucumbers were not sold at Whole … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak: How are Cucumbers Contaminated?
Cucumbers distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of California, and grown in Baja Mexico, are being recalled in connection with a large Salmonella outbreak in 27 states. But Salmonella bacteria do not occur naturally on cucumbers; that bacteria is usually found on chickens, beef, and pork. Where did it come from? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had a meeting with independent industry experts about this outbreak last month. An industry meeting was held on August 26, 2015, with four independent experts from the produce industry. They discussed crop production and distribution practices that may have caused the contamination. These recalled cucumbers were grown on poles in a field. Most consumers aren't aware that fresh produce is one of the leading … [Read more...]
