More Produce Recalled Across Indiana Due to Salmonella Concerns

The latest recall shared by the US Food and Drug Administration impacts produce shipped across North America, including here in Indiana. They say the produce poses a risk of salmonella infection.

What Is Salmonella?

Salmonella is a harmful bacteria that can lead to severe infections, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which can be bloody), and abdominal pain if exposed to Salmonella.

How Long Does It Take for Salmonella to Cause Symptoms?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria and in rare cases, can spread to the bloodstream, causing more critical conditions like arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis.

Most people with Salmonella infection have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days. However, some people do not develop symptoms for several weeks after infection and others experience symptoms for several weeks. Salmonella strains sometimes cause infection in urine, blood, bones, joints, or the nervous system (spinal fluid and brain), and can cause severe disease. - CDC

How is Salmonella Spread?

The Food and Drug Administration explains that there are a number of ways that salmonella can be spread including consuming undercooked food, improper food handling, and improper hand washing.

Salmonella are a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. Salmonella can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps, and when people eat raw or undercooked foods. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people. People who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animals to food if they do not practice proper hand washing hygiene before handling food. Pets can also spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella. - FDA

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Cucumbers Shipped to Half of US May Be Contaminated with Salmonella

In a release, the FDA says that SunFed Produce is recalling whole fresh American cucumbers due to potential of Salmonella contamination. The affected produce was shipped to more than half of the states in the US, including Indiana and Illinois, as well as parts of Canada.

The Recalled Produce Was Shipped in Bulk Containers, Boxes & Crates

The recalled cucumbers were shipped either in bulk cardboard packaging marked with the “SunFed” label or in generic white boxes or black plastic crates that include a sticker with the grower’s name, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.” The cucumbers affected by the recall were sold between October 12, 2024, thru November 26, 2024.

What To Do If You Have Contaminated Produce

If you have these cucumbers in your home, do not consume them. You also should clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with the cucumbers to avoid cross-contamination. The recalled produce should be thrown out, destroyed, or returned to the place of purchase.

What To Do If You Have Consumed a Recalled Product

If you believe that you have consumed recalled produce and begin to feel unwell, it is advised that you contact your healthcare provider. For additional information, consumers can contact SunFed by calling their recall hotline at (888) 542-5849, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am and 5 pm MST. Photos of the affected produce can be found here.

[Source: FDA]