Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak Update – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 732 confirmed cases of Salmonella Poona food poisoning, including four deaths have been reported to date. This represents an increase of 61 illnesses since the CDC’s last update of September 29, 2015. Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce’s recalled cucumbers have been linked to the outbreak (See below for recall information).

According to the CDC as of October 5, 2015, there were 732 confirmed cases of people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona from 35 states. The number of illnesses reported by state is as follows: Alabama (1), Alaska (14), Arizona (114), Arkansas (11), California (192), Colorado (18), Hawaii (1), Idaho (24), Illinois (9), Indiana (3), Iowa (6), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (5), Maryland (1), Minnesota (37), Missouri (11), Montana (14), Nebraska (6), Nevada (14), New Mexico (31), New York (6), North Dakota (6), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (12), Oregon (20), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (9), South Dakota (3), Texas (34), Utah (53), Virginia (1), Washington (22), Wisconsin (40), and Wyoming (7).

The CDC also provided the following outbreak statistics:

• Available outbreak illness onset dates range from July 3, 2015 to September 25, 2015.
• Fifty percent of ill people are children younger than 18 years.
• Among 536 people with available information, 150 (28%) required hospitalization.
• Four deaths have been reported from Arizona (1), California (1), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (1).

The number of outbreak cases is likely to grow, since it can take up to a week from the time a person eats a Salmonella contamintated food until the time they become sickened. Cucumbers also have a long shelf life, and consumers unaware of the recall may ingest the product weeks after the recall.

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

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!

CALL ATTORNEY ERIC WEINBERG FOR A FREE CUCUMBER SALMONELLA OUTBREAK LAWSUIT EVALUATION

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Salmonella food poisoning after eating recalled cucumbers, and you have a question regarding a potential cucumber lawsuit, please call 1-877-934-6274 for a free legal consult. Our phones are answered 24/7. You may also contact a lawyer at The Weinberg Law Firm online, by submitting the food poisoning lawsuit case evaluation form found on this page.

Please see E Coli Panera Bread NJ for food poisoning outbreak news.