Concerns about salmonella contamination prompted the recall of cucumbers sold by two produce companies across multiple states on Monday, just days after two other major salmonella-related recalls affected whole cucumbers and organic eggs sold in more than two dozen states.
A photo provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows cucumbers recalled for salmonella.
In an update on Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the cucumber recall has been expanded to add produce from two more companies Baloian Farms and Russ Davis.
Another company, SunFed Produce, issued a voluntary recall of cucumbers over salmonella concerns last week.
According to the FDA, the affected produce was grown by Agrotato in Sonora, Mexico, and importers sold them to the three companies between October 12 and November 26.
The recall now covers cucumbers sold in 35 states and five provinces of Canada
According to the FDA, 68 people in 19 states have been sickened by the salmonella outbreak linked to the cucumbers, of whom 18 have been hospitalized but no deaths reported so far.
Last week, 10,000 cartons of organic eggs sold at Costco—sourced from New York’s Handsome Brook Farms—were also recalled over salmonella concerns
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These 35 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. They were also sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Ontario. The FDA noted that product could have been distributed beyond the list of confirmed states.
Montana has reported the highest number of cases with 16, followed by Colorado and Oregon, where 8 and 7 infections have been reported respectively.
Five states—Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee—starting Nov. 22, 2024.
1 in 20,000. That's how many eggs are estimated to be contaminated with salmonella, according to the CDC.
The salmonella bacteria lives in the intestines of people and animals. The most common form of infection comes from eating contaminated foods, drinking contaminated water or coming in contact with animal feces. There are more than 2,500 types of salmonella, but fewer than 100 are responsible for most human illnesses, according to the CDC. Most people experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps that last between four and seven days, but it can be more serious for children under 5 years old, people over 65 and those with underlying medical problems. Salmonella is the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness, according to the CDC, and the agency estimates that only 1 in every 30 salmonella infections is diagnosed.
Salmonella can contaminate food in a number of ways. Eggs can be contaminated while they're still forming inside the chicken if a hen is infected with the bacteria, or they can pick up the infection if eggs come in contact with bird droppings after being laid. Salmonella contaminates produce primarily through contact with animal feces or contaminated water, though it can also spread through infected tools and equipment or an infected person who comes in contact. Salmonella can survive for weeks in a dry environment and for months in water, and antimicrobial-resistant salmonella infections are becoming more common. Chicken is a major source of salmonella infection, and one in every 25 packages of chicken at the grocery store is expected to be contaminated.
Safely preparing and storing food and regular hand washing are the best ways to prevent salmonella infection, according to the CDC. All surfaces should be washed before cooking begins; raw meat, poultry, seafood and their juices should be kept away from other foods; all foods should be cooked to a safe temperature; and food should be stored at temperatures below 40°F. The agency also suggests being mindful around animals, including those at petting zoos, farms, and fairs.
Earlier this year, more than 90 people were sickened and 34 were hospitalized across 12 states when eggs from Milo's Poultry Farms were found to be contaminated with salmonella. Another 15 cases were reported and four people hospitalized in an outbreak linked to pet bearded dragons over the summer.