Cucumbers from Mexico have been recalled due to the apparent outbreak of salmonella that has affected at least 27 states with almost 300 people being hospitalized and claimed the life of a 99-year-old woman from California.
In their statement, the California based, fresh produce company Andrew and Williamson, announced that it was recalling all cucumbers sold since the 1st of August under its Limited Edition Label.
"The safety and welfare of consumers is the highest priority for our company. We are taking all precautions possible to prevent further consumption of this product and are working to learn if and how these cucumbers are involved in the ongoing outbreak," read the statement.
The company further said that the cucumbers produced from Baja California in Mexico have been distributed in at least 22 states.
Eighteen of the 22 states the cucumbers were shipped to have reported infections, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
FDA stated, based on a research conducted by federal and state authorities of infection cluster that the California based company, Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce, "was a common supplier of cucumbers that were eaten by the people in these illness clusters."
As of writing, the Department of Health and Hospitals in Louisiana, reported that there have been three new cases linked to salmonella in cucumber consumption. There have been at least three states that has the most number of cases that includes, 60 in Arizona, 53 in California and 30 in Utah, with reports of infections across all the 27 U. S states, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
Indications of salmonella infections can include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, with the symptoms appearing between 12 to 72 hours after eating a contaminated product. The illness can last from four to seven days, although most people recover without hospital treatment. In severe cases, it can cause death unless the person is treated with antibiotics immediately. Infants and elderly and people with weak immune system are most likely to have serious cases.