Arizona produce company SunFed is recalling all sizes of its whole, fresh American cucumbers in 26 states and parts of Canada due to potential contamination with salmonella. The cucumbers were sold from October 12 to November 26 and distributed in bulk cardboard containers with the SunFed label or in generic white boxes or black plastic crates with grower stickers. SunFed stated that the cucumbers could have reached consumers through various food service and retail outlets. Consumers were advised to check for recalled cucumbers and to avoid consuming or distributing any suspicious produce.
President Craig Slate assured that the company is working with authorities to determine the cause of the contamination and is taking steps to protect consumers. Earlier in the year, there was a salmonella outbreak in South Florida connected to Bedner Growers Inc. and Thomas Produce Co., where hundreds of people were affected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that salmonella causes approximately 1.35 million infections in the US annually.
The affected cucumbers were distributed in states including California, Texas, New York, and Florida, as well as in parts of Canada. SunFed is cooperating with authorities to investigate the issue further. Customers were advised to discard any recalled products to prevent the risk of infection, especially for vulnerable populations such as young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
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