Cucumber And Tomato Recalls Expand In U.S. Amid Salmonella Outbreaks

Yahoo

4 days ago

A salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers has prompted expanded recalls across multiple U.S. grocery chains, while a separate tomato recall has been classified as high-risk.
Cucumber Outbreak Sickens 26 Across 15 States
Cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales were tied to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 26 people and hospitalized nine in 15 states, including Alabama, California, and New York. The FDA first announced a voluntary recall on May 19 for cucumbers sold at Bedner's Farm Fresh Market from April 29 to May 14. Environmental samples from Bedner Growers tested positive for salmonella, and the FDA said that they matched clinical samples from ill individuals.
The outbreak has led to recalls of cucumber-containing products sold at retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Harris Teeter. Albertsons Companies recalled three Greek salad products sold at ACME, Safeway, Shaw's, and other stores in 11 states and Washington, D.C., after Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser's Fine Foods, identified contaminated cucumbers in their deli items.
The recalled salads, sold from May 20-24, include SALAD GREEK AUTHENTIC FS (UPC: 2930700000-00901), READYMEALS SALAD GREEK SS (UPC: 29248300000), and SALAD GREEK FS (UPC: 29232900000).
Other recalls include PennRose Farms' repackaged cucumbers distributed to Restaurant Depot, Ukrop's Homestyle Foods' marinated cucumber salads sold at Food Lion and Kroger, and Walmart's Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices in Texas. Publix recalled loose cucumbers and various salads, while JFE Franchising and Supreme Service Solutions recalled sushi and veggie trays sold at Kroger and Weis Markets.
The Coastal Companies also recalled 17 salsa and salad products under brands like East Coast Fresh and Wellsley Farms.
The FDA advises consumers to discard cucumbers of unknown origin, and return recalled products for refunds.
'Following a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled three store-made deli items…due to possible Salmonella contamination,' the FDA said. Consumers with concerns should contact Albertsons at 1-877-723-3929.
Tomato Recall Classified as High-Risk
Separately, Williams Farms Repack LLC initiated a Class I recall on April 29 for fresh tomatoes potentially contaminated with salmonella, the FDA's highest risk level, indicating possible serious or fatal health outcomes. The recall, triggered after Southeast Tomato Distributors notified Williams Farms of contamination from H&C Farms, affects tomatoes shipped from April 23-28 to Georgia and the Carolinas. No illnesses have been reported.
The recalled tomatoes include 5×6 25lb, 6×6 25lb, Combo 25lb, and other formats, with lot numbers R4467 and R4470.
'Generally speaking, picking and packaging produce at the farm and the facility can result in food contamination,' said Jeongmin Song, a microbiology professor at Cornell University, Newsweek reported. 'Even if there was Salmonella on the tomatoes, most contaminated bacteria can be eliminated by washing them before consumption.'
Consumers should discard affected tomatoes or return them for refunds and can contact Jason Breland at 843-866-7707 for questions.
Salmonella symptoms, including nausea, fever, and diarrhea, typically appear within six to 72 hours and can be severe in young children, the elderly, or those with weakened immune systems, the FDA warned.
'In some people, the illness may be so severe that the patient is hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other parts of the body,' the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated on its website.