Washington: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are jointly investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections tied to cucumbers, both agencies announced on Monday.
The outbreak has been traced to American-slicer cucumbers produced by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V., based in Sonora, Mexico. As of November 26, 68 confirmed cases of Salmonella infection have been reported across 19 states.
Impact and Symptoms
Among the 50 individuals with available medical information, 18 required hospitalization. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported thus far. Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain, which can range from mild to severe depending on the patient’s overall health and age.
Food Recalls and Consumer Safety
The investigation revealed that of the 33 people interviewed, 27 reported consuming cucumbers. In response, SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms, and Russ Davis have initiated voluntary recalls of cucumbers believed to be linked to the outbreak.
The FDA is collaborating with the recalling firms to identify any additional customers or distributors that may need to issue recalls. This includes working with other importers of cucumbers grown by Agrotato to ensure comprehensive containment of the contaminated produce.
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Consumers are urged to check their cucumbers and discard any that may be subject to the recalls. Retailers and restaurants have also been advised to stop selling or serving the implicated cucumbers until further notice.
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Ongoing Investigation
The FDA and CDC are continuing their efforts to trace the distribution network of the affected cucumbers and prevent further cases of Salmonella. Updates regarding the outbreak will be provided as new information emerges.
