Cucumbers linked to Salmonella outbreak with almost 300 ill

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said 285 people infected with Salmonella Poona have been reported from 27 states from July 3.

53 ill people have been hospitalized, one person has died in California and 54% are children younger than 18 years.

Labeling indicates the product was grown and packed by Rancho Don Juanito in Mexico.

Cucumbers imported from Mexico​

CDC said investigations have identified imported cucumbers from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce as a likely source of infections.

58 (73%) of 80 people interviewed reported eating cucumbers in the week before illness began. This is higher than results from a survey of healthy people in which 55% reported eating cucumbers in July in the week before being interviewed. 

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency isolated Salmonella from cucumbers at the Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce facility.

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce recalled all cucumbers under the Limited Edition label during August 1 to September 3 because of Salmonella.​

The firm said all harvesting and packing of cucumbers with the potential to be linked to the outbreak have been stopped until further information is known.

“The safety and welfare of consumers is the highest priority for our company. We are taking all precautions possible to prevent further consumption of this product and are working to learn if and how these cucumbers are involved in the ongoing outbreak​,” said Fred Williamson, president at Andrew & Williamson.

Illnesses are in Alaska (8), Arizona (60), Arkansas (6), California (51), Colorado (14), Idaho (8), Illinois (5), Kansas (1), Louisiana (3), Minnesota (12), Missouri (7), Montana (11), Nebraska (2), Nevada (7), New Mexico (15), New York (4), North Dakota (1), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (5), Oregon (3), South Carolina (6), Texas (9), Utah (30), Virginia (1), Washington (9), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (3).

Limited Edition cucumbers were produced in Baja California and distributed in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah through retail, food service companies, wholesalers, and brokers.

The cucumbers are shipped in a black, green, yellow, and craft colored carton which reads “Limited Edition Pole Grown Cucumbers.” This variety is often referred to as a “Slicer” or “American” cucumber and has a dark green color.

It typically has a length of seven to 10 inches and a diameter of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. In retail it is sold in a bulk display without any individual packaging or plastic wrapping. In food service it is typically part of a salad.

Canada recall​

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said it is not aware of any illnesses.

However, Safeway recalled field cucumbers and in-store produced items that contain cucumbers due to possible Salmonella contamination

The recall was triggered following the action in the US by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce and may be associated with that outbreak. 

It applies to fresh field cucumbers sold in bulk, unwrapped and various in-store produced products that contain cucumbers, such as Greek salad, vegetable trays, sushi and sandwiches from Safeway on or before September 6.

Products were distributed at the retail level in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.