Sep 10, 2015 09:33 AM EDT
Salmonella Outbreak Causes Massive US Cucumber Recall

Diners in the United States might want to watch what's in their salads. The Food Poison Journal is reporting that Cucumbers originating from San Diego-based purveyor Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce may be linked to a massive Salmonella outbreak across 27 states.

According to the report, all Cucumbers produced from August 1, 2015 to Sept 3, 2015 have been recalled. The journal says that Andrew and Williamson Cucumbers are sold at restaurants like In-N-Out, and Red Lobster. Supermarket chains that carry the product include Costco, Whole Foods, and Safeway among others.

Food Safety news says that 2 have died and another 341 have fallen ill due to the disease. According to their findings:

  • 53 percent those sickenedare children younger than 18 years.
  • Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations have identified imported cucumbers from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce as a likely source of the infections in this outbreak.
  • 91 (68 percent) of 134 people interviewed reported eating cucumbers in the week before their illness began.
  • Eleven illness clusters have been identified in seven states. In all of these clusters, interviews found that cucumbers were a food item eaten in common by ill people.
  • Arizona, California, Montana, and Nevada isolatedSalmonellafrom samples of cucumbers collected from various locations that were distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.

Red Lobster is already facing legal action regarding this matter. The official statement reads:

Attorneys Ryan Osterholm and Brendan Flaherty of the PritzkerOlsen law firm filed a lawsuit on behalf of A.J., a minor child, who allegedly contracted a Salmonella Poona infection after eating at the Red Lobster restaurant located at 8350 3rd Street North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The plaintiffs in the case are A.J.'s parents. This case is allegedly part of a multistate outbreak that has sickened about 285 people in 27 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outbreak report issued on September 3, 2015.

Correction: a previous version of this article mentioned that Olive Garden used Andrew and Williamson as a supplier. The restaurant has since told us they have cut ties with A&W.

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