Your Cucumbers Might Be Tainted, Too
This year has already given us tainted deli meat, bad McDonald’s onions, and baby carrots teeming with E. coli. Why not add one more vegetable to the running list of “food to be chucked into the trash can”? On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that its cucumber recall — which was first enforced in November — has now expanded to 35 states and five provinces of Canada, with 68 cucumber-affiliated salmonella infections to date. Retailers carrying the potentially contaminated cucumbers include Walmart, Wegmans, Albertsons, and Costco.
The original cucumber recall was initiated last week by SunFed Produce after the company issued a voluntary recall over salmonella concerns. The FDA’s latest announcement adds two produce companies — Baloian Farms and Russ Davis — to the debacle. Russ Davis has also recalled products containing potentially contaminated cucumbers, including its “Crazy Fresh Garden Salad W/ Ranch Dressing” and “Quick & Easy Bacon Avocado Wrap.” Safe to say these items are no longer “crazy fresh”?
Per the CDC, salmonella is the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths linked to foodborne illness, and symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Luckily, no deaths have been reported thus far, though 18 confirmed patients have been hospitalized due to the cucumbers.
Nothing says “happy holidays!” like a salmonella outbreak days after America’s big turkey feast. Consider my gag reflex triggered.
Related