Cucumbers have been recalled in more than a dozen states over fears of contamination with a life-threatening bacteria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. had issued a recall for cucumbers shipped to 14 states between May 17 and 21 due to possible Salmonella contamination.
The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people with weakened immune systems, including young children and the elderly.
The affected cucumbers have been sent to distributors in the Netherlands Alabama, FloridaGeorgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New JerseyNew York, Ohio, PennsylvaniaSouth Carolina, Tennessee, Virginiaand West Virginia.
Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not believed to be affected, the FDA announced.
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., a Florida-based company, has recalled cucumbers in 14 states due to possible Salmonella contamination
The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture discovered that a product sample tested positive for Salmonella.
The FDA is now working to determine if the sample is related to an “ongoing investigation into the Salmonella outbreak,” the news release said.
Saturday’s announcement follows a series of other recalls, including one for Fiji Water on May 23.
Remembering that almost two million bottles came after tests found evidence of manganese and three unspecified types of bacteria in some bottles.
Manganese occurs naturally in soil, but continued exposure to the mineral can cause liver, kidney and lung damage. It can also affect the nervous and reproductive systems.
In a statement, the company claimed the announcement related to “an issue several months ago that never posed any health or safety risk.”
On May 24, Dairy Manufacturers, Inc. known that this was the case conducting a voluntary recall of three brands of baby food after non-compliance FDA regulations.
Although no side effects have been reported to date, the ingredients still need to be evaluated to determine if they meet food safety and nutrition standards.
