Cucumbers have been recalled in more than a dozen states over fears of contamination with a life-threatening bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. had issued a recall for cucumbers shipped to 14 states between May 17 and 21 due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people with weakened immune systems, including young children and the elderly.
The affected cucumbers have been shipped to distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not believed to be affected, the FDA said.
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., a Florida-based company, has recalled cucumbers in 14 states due to possible Salmonella contamination
The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture discovered that a product sample tested positive for Salmonella.
The FDA is now working to determine if the sample is related to an “ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation,” the press release said.
The bacterium lives in the intestinal tract of animals and is usually transmitted to humans through fecal contamination of food.
The resulting infection, known as salmonellosis, causes diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within eight to 72 hours of exposure.
However, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, requiring hospitalization, and the infection can lead to death if it spreads beyond the intestines.
Saturday’s announcement follows a series of other recalls, including a recall for Fiji Water on May 23.
The recall of nearly two million bottles came after tests found evidence of manganese and three unspecified types of bacteria in some bottles.
Manganese occurs naturally in soil, but continued exposure to the mineral can cause liver, kidney and lung damage. It can also affect the nervous and reproductive systems.
In a statement, the company claimed the announcement related to “an issue several months ago that never posed any health or safety risk.”
On May 24, Dairy Manufacturers, Inc. announced. announced that it was conducting a voluntary recall of three brands of baby food after failing to meet FDA regulations.
Although no side effects have been reported to date, the ingredients still need to be evaluated to determine if they meet food safety and nutrition standards.