October 14, 2015: CDC Reports 767 Confirmed Illnesses Linked To Contaminated Cucumbers

Cucumber Lawsuit Help – The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting victims of the recent Salmonella food poisoning outbreak linked to Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce cucumbers. Please contact our law firm 24/7, toll free at 1-877-934-6274, if you have a question regarding a food poisoning lawsuit. You can also contact our lawyers online by using the “Free Legal Case Evaluation Form” found on this page.

SALMONELLA OUTBREAK UPDATE – CDC REPORTS SALMONELLA CASE COUNT REACHES 767 CONFIRMED ILLNESSES

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 767 confirmed cases of Salmonella Poona food poisoning linked to cucumbers have been reported from 36 states. This represents an increase of 35 illnesses since the CDC’s October 6, 2015, update. Public health officials blame contaminated cucumbers, distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce, as the likely source of the outbreak. Multiple cucumber recalls have occurred as a result.

The number of confirmed Salmonella Poona outbreak cases by state is as follows: Alabama (1), Alaska (16), Arizona (118), Arkansas (11), California (205), Colorado (18), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Idaho (24), Illinois (9), Indiana (4), Iowa (6), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (5), Maryland (1), Minnesota (38), Missouri (12), Montana (15), Nebraska (7), Nevada (14), New Mexico (31), New York (6), North Dakota (6), Ohio (3), Oklahoma (12), Oregon (21), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (9), South Dakota (3), Texas (38), Utah (53), Virginia (1), Washington (24), Wisconsin (42), and Wyoming (7).

The CDC also reported that:

  • One hundred and fifty-seven (157) confirmed illnesses required hospitalization.
  • Four deaths were reported including 1 from Arizona, 1 from California, 1 from Oklahoma and 1 from Texas.
  • 50% of those sickened are children younger than 18 years of age.
  • Available illness onset dates range from July 3, 2015 to September 29, 2015.

ANDREW & WILLIAMSON FRESH PRODUCE CUCUMBERS ARE LINKED TO THE OUTBREAK PROMPTING MULTIPLE CUCUMBER RECALLS

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported the following cucumber recall information:

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce Cucumber Recall – On September 4, 2015, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce recalled all of its cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” brand label because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The cucumbers were shipped in black, green, yellow, and craft colored cartons which read “Limited Edition Pole Grown Cucumbers.” This variety is often referred to as a “Slicer” or “American” cucumber. It has a dark green color, and typically has a length of 7 to 10 inches and a diameter of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. In retail stores it may be sold in bulk display without any individual packaging or plastic wrapping. The cucumbers were distributed between August 1, 2015 and September 3, 2015.

Alaska Safeway and Carrs Recalls Deli Sandiches Containing Cucumbers – On September 8, 2015, Safeway announced a recall for its made-to-order deli sandwiches made with cucumbers produced by Andrew & Williamson and sold in nine Safeway and Carrs stores in Alaska, because the cucumbers may be contaminated with the bacterial pathogen, Salmonella. The recall was issued after public health officials determined that Andrew & Williamson fresh cucumbers are linked to a multistate Salmonella Poona outbreak.

Custom Produce Sales Recalls FAT BOY® Brand and Unlabeled Cucumbers – On September 11, 2015 Custom Produce Sales of Parlier, California recalled all of its cucumbers sold under the Fat Boy® label because the product may be contaminated with the foodborne pathogen, Salmonella. The recall covers Fat Boy® cucumbers marketed since August 1, 2015. Unlabeled cucumbers packed in black reusable plastic containers and sold in Nevada, as of August 1, 2015, are also covered by the recall.

The cucumbers subject to the above recalls were distributed in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Further distribution to other states may have occurred.

Public health officials caution that consumers should not eat, restaurants should not serve, and retailers should not sell the recalled cucumbers. If you are not sure if cucumbers in your possession were recalled, ask the place of purchase or your supplier. When in doubt, do not eat, sell, or serve the cucumbers in question!

FOR CUCUMBER LAWSUIT HELP CALL THE WEINBERG LAW FIRM

If you or a loved one are diagnosed with Salmonella food poisoning and you have a question regarding a potential cucumber lawsuit, please call The Weinberg Law Firm toll free at 1-877-934-6274. To contact our law firm online, please submit the “Free Legal Case Evaluation Form” found on this page.

Please visit Dole Salad Recall and Dole Salad Lawsuit for information regarding food recalls, food poisoning outbreaks, and food poisoning lawsuit help.