Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak

UPDATE: As of June 12th, CDC officials estimate that 196 patients have been identified in the investigation – though the true number of those affected is likely much, much higher.  

The CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced an outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to cucumbers. Here is everything we know about this Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak:

Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak

The CDC and FDA are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections. Epidemiologic data show that cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella and may be making people sick.

CDC and FDA are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections, with 158 illnesses in 23 states. The two outbreaks share several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of ill people. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food. Information will be provided on the source of the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak as it becomes available.

Epidemiologic Data

As of June 4, a total of 162 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Africana have been reported from 25 states and the District of Columbia (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 11, 2024, to May 16, 2024 (see timeline). Of 127 people with information available, 54 have been hospitalized and 0 deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.

The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 65 people interviewed, 47 (72%) reported eating cucumbers. This percentage was significantly higher than the 50% of respondents who reported eating cucumbers in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating cucumbers.

Cucumbers Recalled

MAP OF DISTRIBUTION OF FRESH START CUCUMBERS

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According to the CDC and the FDA, Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. recalled whole cucumbers.

• Cucumbers were sold in bulk to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in 14 states, but these sellers may have shipped to additional states or re-packaged them for stores.
  • Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
  • Shipped from May 17 to May 21.
  • Grown in Florida
• This recall does not include English cucumbers or mini cucumbers. Recalled cucumbers should no longer be in stores.

The announcement reads:

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, is recalling whole cucumbers shipped to certain states from May 17th through May 21st, 2024, due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons from May 17th through May 21st, 2024, directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The recalled cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5 – 2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall.

The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture informed the company that a product sample tested positive for the bacteria. The FDA is conducting whole genome sequencing to determine if this sample is related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation.

More Salmonella Out There

CDC and FDA are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections, with 158 illnesses in 23 states. The two outbreaks share several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of ill people. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food vehicle. Information will be provided on the source of the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak as it becomes available.

As part of the Salmonella Africana investigation, state partners in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture collected samples of cucumbers from several retail locations in their state. One sample supplied by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida, tested positive for Salmonella. Additional analysis is ongoing to determine the specific strain of Salmonella that was detected on the cucumbers and if they are linked to an outbreak.

In response to the positive sample, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. has recalled cucumbers grown in Florida. English and mini cucumbers are not included in this recall. Cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. are from a variety of growers. The grower that likely supplied potentially contaminated cucumbers is no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season.

The investigations are ongoing to determine the source(s) of contamination and whether these or other products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

What Should I Do?

The CDC Recommends:

• Do not eat any recalled cucumbers. If you recently purchased cucumbers and have them at home, you can check with the store where you purchased them to see if they were part of the recall. If you can’t tell, do not eat them.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled cucumbers using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

The FDA REcommends:

• Consumers who purchased recalled cucumbers may be notified by their grocery store to discard recalled cucumbers. This product is likely past shelf life; however, if you cannot tell if your cucumber was included in the recall, do not eat or use recalled cucumbers and throw them away.
• Retailers and distributors that purchased recalled Fresh Start cucumbers should notify their customers of the recall.
  • Retailers that have or had recalled product should clean and sanitize any areas that could have come into contact with recalled products. If recalled cucumbers were sold in bulk bins or displays, retailers should discard the contents of the bins and use extra care to clean and sanitize the bins before refilling.
  • Retailers that are unsure if they received recalled product may need to contact their supplier. If you are unable to determine whether or not recalled product was received, you should discard the contents of the bins and use extra care to clean and sanitize the bins before refilling.
• Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with this product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination
• Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection.

About Salmonella

Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 96 hours after exposure, but they can begin up to two weeks after exposure. Infections usually clear in five to seven days, but about 28% of laboratory-confirmed cases require hospitalization. Many Salmonella infections in otherwise healthy people do not require medical treatment. More serious infections occasionally occur. For those who seek health care, most do not require antibiotics. However, antibiotic treatment may be warranted in some cases.

Salmonella Symptoms and Treatment

The CDC estimates Salmonella is responsible for 1.35 million infections leading to 26,500 hospitalizations, and around 420 deaths in the United States each year. Most of these illnesses are the result of foodborne exposure.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually entail diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. They generally begin anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after infection and can last anywhere from 4 to 7 days on average.

Antibiotic treatment can be used for those with severe illness. In some cases, infection may be so severe that hospitalization is required for recovery.

Higher Risk Populations

Certain groups of people are at higher risk for severe infection. According to the CDC, infants, children under 5 years old, adults over 65, and those with a weakened immune system are more likely to become infected and have more severe symptoms. Infants (children under 12 months) who are not breast fed are also near the top of that list, as are those taking certain medications such as stomach acid reducers.

What Do I Do If I Have Symptoms

If you have consumed this potentially tainted product and have symptoms, you have options.

Reach Out to Your Health Care Provider

Be sure to mention that you consumed a food potentially involved in a Salmonella outbreak. Specific tests are required to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

We Can Help

Are you concerned for yourself or someone you love that may have fallen ill with Salmonella in this Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak? Navigating this process can be confusing. Reach out to an experienced professional that can help answer your questions.

Contact The Lange Law Firm, PLLC to schedule your free, no obligation legal consultation with a Salmonella lawyer who has a reputation for success in handling cases just like yours. Call (833)330-3663 or fill out the online contact form to get the answers you deserve.