A salmonella outbreak linked to a cucumber producer in Florida has affected 45 individuals across 18 states, according to the FDA. Target stores are warning customers to dispose of recalled cucumbers and related ready-to-eat products, which include items like a Greek-style chicken salad from Boar’s Head and various sushi products under the Mai brand. Walmart has also added its Marketside cucumber slices to the list of recalled items.
The illness cases have been reported in states including Alabama, California, and Florida, with 16 hospitalizations but no fatalities reported. Investigators are primarily focused on the salmonella montevideo strain, but additional, unrelated salmonella strains were detected at a Pennsylvania facility linked to Florida’s Bedner Growers, a key source of the cucumbers.
As of now, the illnesses appear connected to cucumbers produced by Bedner and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, which were sold from April 29 to May 19. Initially, the tomatoes were identified at three Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market locations, but numerous retailers and restaurants may have also sold these potentially contaminated cucumbers, labeled as “supers,” “selects,” or “plains.” FDA inspectors found contaminated cucumbers during a follow-up inspection at Bedner’s facilities.
Salmonella contamination often occurs in produce due to contact with animal feces, posing severe health risks, especially to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and young children. Symptoms can include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea, appearing six hours to six days post-infection. The CDC identifies salmonella as a leading cause of foodborne illness and associated hospitalizations in the U.S.
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