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Each year, approximately one in six individuals in the United States experiences food poisoning, with children particularly vulnerable to its serious effects.
In a recent announcement, an Arizona-based produce company has initiated a recall of whole cucumbers distributed across 26 states as well as Canada, due to potential salmonella contamination. According to a report released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), SunFed Produce, LLC, disclosed that these cucumbers were available for purchase between October 12 and November 26 of this year and are now being pulled from shelves due to health concerns. Salmonella poses significant health risks, particularly to young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.
The recall encompasses all sizes of whole, fresh cucumbers sold under the SunFed brand. These cucumbers were packaged in bulk cardboard boxes labeled with the “SunFed” brand but may also have been displayed in generic containers. Consumers may identify the recalled products by checking for the grower’s sticker that indicates the source.
The affected cucumbers were distributed to multiple states, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Additionally, some cucumbers may have been sold at retailers outside these states.
In Canada, the recalled cucumbers reached provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
SunFed is advising consumers to compare their produce against images of the potentially contaminated cucumbers and to avoid eating or distributing any suspicious items. Any recalled products should be disposed of safely. In a statement, Craig Slate, President of SunFed, emphasized the company’s immediate response to protect consumers and indicated that they are in close collaboration with health officials to investigate the incident.
Customers with questions or who believe they may have purchased affected cucumbers can reach out to SunFed’s recall hotline at (888) 542-5849, which is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time. This recall follows a salmonella outbreak earlier this year linked to cucumbers from two Florida growers, which resulted in the illness of at least 449 individuals across 31 states and the District of Columbia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella infections result in approximately 1.3 million cases, 26,500 hospitalizations, and roughly 420 fatalities annually in the U.S., with the majority stemming from food sources.
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