Cucumbers have been recalled from major retailers because they may be contaminated with deadly bacteria.
SunFed Produce, LLC, has recalled all sizes of its fresh whole cucumbers over fears that they contain salmonella bacteria, which hospitalizes 26,000 Americans each year.
The recall includes SunFed cucumbers sold in 26 states and five Canadian provinces, according to the FDA. The affected products were sold at Walmart, Wegmans and Albertsons stores.
There have been 68 illnesses and 18 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. No deaths have been reported.
SunFed, LLC cucumbers (pictured) have been recalled from retailers in 26 states, the FDA said.
If you have purchased affected products, the FDA recommends throwing them away and cleaning counters that may come into contact with them to avoid cross-contamination (file image)
The affected products were sold in the following states, the FDA said: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
They were also sold in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
The cucumbers were sold to companies that resell or redistribute the products to food service retailers. Arizona-based SunFed said it is contacting buyers to inform them of the recall of the cucumbers, which were sold in bulk cardboard containers labeled ‘SunFed’ or in a plastic box with a label identifying to the producer in Mexico: ‘Agrotato, SA de CV’
The affected cucumbers were sold between October 12 and November 15.
SunFed President Craig Slate said in a statement: ‘As soon as we learned of this issue, we acted immediately to protect consumers.
“We are working closely with authorities and the ranch involved to determine the possible cause.”
Walmart, Wegmans and Albertsons issued recall notices to consumers in affected states.
Salmonella is caused by eating food contaminated with animal feces.
It typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that begin between six hours and six days after initial infection, according to the CDC.
Most people recover within days, although the disease is responsible for more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 400 deaths a year.
The FDA warns against consuming affected products. If you are unsure whether a product has been recalled, please contact the retailer where you purchased it.
The agency also advises cleaning any surfaces that may have come into contact with the cucumbers to avoid cross-contamination.