The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has notified the public about SunFed Produce’s cucumber recall, which took place on November 27, 2024. The recall was issued due to Salmonella contamination. According to reports, the cucumbers were distributed across 26 states and sold to food service outlets.
The salmonellosis cases were reported between October 12 and November 15, 2024. The cucumbers were sold to buyers in states like:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Besides these states, the cucumbers were transported to Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, as notified by the FDA. It is speculated that the vegetable might have also been shipped to other US states.
As per the FDA, the cucumbers are identified by the SunFed brand label or generic packaging, such as white boxes or black plastic crates, marked with a sticker naming the grower, "Agrotato, S.A. de C.V." In the retail stores, the cucumbers are labeled with a UPC sticker displaying "SunFed," and PLU #4062.
For more information, customers can visit fda.gov to familiarize themselves with the bulk boxes and the cucumbers' identifying markers. To prevent cross-contamination, buyers must avoid consuming the recalled cucumbers and sanitize surfaces they touch.
They can dispose of the recalled items or return them to the store. If unsure, contact the retailer or discard the cucumbers as a precaution. Customers can reach out to SunFed’s recall hotline at 888-542-5849 between 8 AM and 5 PM MST Monday through Friday.
Here is what you need to know about Salmonella amidst the cucumber recall
Salmonella can cause severe and potentially fatal infections, particularly in young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals infected may experience symptoms like fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
In rare cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, leading to severe conditions such as arterial infections, endocarditis, or arthritis. Symptoms can appear six hours to six days after exposure and last four to seven days. Concerning the recall, SunFed President Craig Slate stated,
“As soon as we learned of this issue, we immediately acted to protect consumers. We are working closely with authorities and the implicated ranch to determine the possible cause. Here at SunFed, food safety and consumer health and wellness have been our priorities for more than 30 years. We require all of our growers to strictly comply with the FDA food safety requirements.”
The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recommends contacting a doctor if diarrhea is accompanied by a fever over 102°F. Medical intervention is mandatory if diarrhea lasts more than three days without improvement, if bloody stools are present, or if persistent vomiting prevents one from staying hydrated.
Additionally, one should seek medical attention if they show signs of dehydration, such as minimal urination, a dry mouth and throat, or dizziness when standing.
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As of November 26, 2024, 68 cases of Salmonella linked to the outbreak strain have been identified across 19 states. Among the 50 individuals with available data, 18 were hospitalized, though no fatalities have been reported. Interviews with 33 affected individuals revealed that 82% (27 people) had consumed cucumbers.
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