Imported cucumbers linked to salmonella outbreak

Fourth Estate Staff

Washington, DC, United States (4E) – Imported cucumbers from Mexico were linked to a salmonella outbreak in 27 states and the distributor, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, has recalled the products, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A total 285 people were sickened by the cucumbers tainted with Salmonella Poona since July 3 and one person in California died from infection, the CDC said.

Salmonella Poona causes nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. Infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable from infection.

A total 53 of those infected were hospitalized. More than half of the infected people were children below 18 years old.

The cucumbers were linked to the outbreak after 58 of 80 infected people told investigators they ate cucumber a week before they got sick.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency also isolated Salmonella from cucumbers collected during a visit to the Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce facility. The company on Friday recalled all so-called slicer cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” brand label during the period from Aug. 1 to Sept. 3, 2015 because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Limited Edition cucumbers were distributed in the states of 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, according to CDC. Further distribution to other states may have occurred.

The CDC advised consumers not to eat the recalled product. It also advised restaurants not to serve and retailers not to sell recalled cucumbers.

For those unsure if their cucumbers were recalled, CDC advised them to ask the place of purchase or supplier.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking part in the ongoing investigation of the outbreak.