DENVER — The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to cucumbers grown in Mexico.
The FDA said as of Nov. 26, 68 people infected with Salmonella have been reported in 19 states, including Colorado, which has between 7 and 9 cases. There have been 18 confirmed hospitalizations nationwide, but no deaths have been reported.
On Nov. 27, Arizona-based SunFed Produce initiated a voluntary recall of all sizes of American/slicer cucumbers that were grown by Agrotato, S.A. in Sonora, Mexico. SunFed Produce distributed recalled products to retail and food service customers in 26 states, including Colorado. The cucumbers could have been distributed in other states as well, the FDA said.
People should check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled cucumbers from SunFed Produce. They may have a sticker that says "SunFed Mexico." If you find them, the FDA said you should throw them away and clean and sanitize any surfaces they touched.
If you bought whole, fresh American/slicer cucumbers between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26 and can't tell where they are from, the FDA said you should contact the place where you bought them and ask if they are part of the recall or throw them away.
Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with Salmonella, the FDA said, and the symptoms usually last for four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Children younger than 5, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.