Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Mexican Cucumbers Affects 68 People in 19 States
The Centers for Disease Control has issued a warning about a significant salmonella outbreak associated with cucumbers grown in Mexico. The outbreak has already impacted 68 individuals across 19 states, with 18 people requiring hospitalization. While no fatalities have been reported, health officials anticipate that the actual number of cases may be higher, and more individuals could become ill.
SunFed Produce, LLC, recently announced a recall on all sizes of whole fresh American cucumbers supplied by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico. These cucumbers, distributed between October 12 and November 26, may bear a “SunFed Mexico” label or be packaged in a white box or black plastic crate with stickers indicating “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.”
Consumers are urged not to consume the recalled cucumbers and to either return them to the place of purchase or dispose of them properly. Additionally, the CDC recommends that individuals sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated produce.
Salmonella infection typically presents with symptoms such as watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and in severe cases, bloody stool. Other common signs include headache, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. While salmonella is responsible for an estimated 1.35 million infections in the U.S. annually, it is often mistaken for the stomach flu due to similar manifestations.
This recent outbreak is the second major incident involving cucumbers and salmonella in the past six months. A previous outbreak in June affected at least 551 individuals, resulting in 155 hospitalizations across 34 states.
While consumers typically associate salmonella with undercooked poultry and eggs, the bacteria can also be present in various food items. Over the past year, the CDC has reported outbreaks linked to cantaloupes, diced onions, fresh basil, and charcuterie meats.
Although foodborne illnesses are commonly associated with animal products, fruits and vegetables can also be sources of outbreaks. Raw items like cucumbers, leafy greens, sprouts, and pre-packaged salads are frequently implicated in such incidents. Just recently, an E. coli outbreak linked to organic carrots caused numerous infections and one fatality.
