Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. has recalled cucumbers grown in Florida and distributed to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in AL, FL, GA, IL, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV from May 17th through May 21st, 2024. This product should no longer be available for sale to consumers in stores.
The recalled cucumbers were shipped in bulk and 24- and 36-count boxes directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in AL, FL, GA, IL, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV from May 17th through May 21st, 2024.
CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/africana-06-24/details.html
FDA
https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cucumbers-june-2024?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cucumbers (June 2024)
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. to certain states. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Fast Facts (as of Posted June 12, 2024)
Illnesses: 196 (34 new)
Hospitalizations: 68 (14 new)
Deaths: 0
States: 28 states and the District of Columbia (3 new)
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active (first posted on June 5, 2024)
Product
Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. has recalled cucumbers grown in Florida and distributed to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in AL, FL, GA, IL, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV from May 17th through May 21st, 2024. This product should no longer be available for sale to consumers in stores.
Illnesses: 196 (34 new)
Hospitalizations: 68 (14 new)
Deaths: 0
States: 28 states and the District of Columbia (3 new)
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active (first posted on June 5, 2024)
Product
Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. has recalled cucumbers grown in Florida and distributed to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in AL, FL, GA, IL, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, and WV from May 17th through May 21st, 2024. This product should no longer be available for sale to consumers in stores.
The recalled cucumbers are dark green and approximately 1.5 -2.0 inches in diameter and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall.
Although these cucumbers have resulted in a positive Salmonella sample result, FDA has not linked these products to any ongoing outbreaks. Sample analysis is currently underway and more information will be reported as it becomes available. The investigations are ongoing to determine the source(s) of contamination and what products are linked to illnesses.
June 12, 2024
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections. Epidemiologic data show that cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella and may be making people sick.
CDC and FDA are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections, with 185 illnesses in 24 states. The two outbreaks share several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of ill people. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food. Information will be provided on the source of the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak as it becomes available.
Epidemiologic Data
As of June 12, a total of 196 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Africana have been reported from 28 states and the District of Columbia (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 11, 2024, to May 23, 2024 (see timeline). Of 164 people with information available, 68 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics InformationTable of demographic information (n is the number of people with information available)
Age (n=195)
Range from <1 to 94 years
Median age of 41
Sex
(n=194) 62% female 38% male
Race (n=158) 84% White 12% African American/Black 1% Native American or Alaska Native
3% Asian 0% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 0% reported more than one race
Ethnicity
(n=153) 88% non-Hispanic
12% Hispanic
before they got sick. Of the 85 people interviewed, 63 (74%) reported eating cucumbers. This percentage was significantly higher than the 50% of respondents who reported eating cucumbers in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating cucumbers.
Laboratory Data
WGS analysis of bacteria from 196 people’s samples predicted resistance to fosfomycin. Among these, bacteria from 6 people’s samples also predicted resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, azithromycin, cefoxitin, ceftiofur, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may be difficult to treat with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice.
As part of the Salmonella Africana investigation, officials in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture collected samples of cucumbers from several retail locations in the state. Testing identified Salmonella Bareilly, a different strain of Salmonella than the one making people sick in this outbreak. CDC is not currently investigating an outbreak of illnesses with this strain.
Public Health Actions
CDC advises people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled cucumbers while the investigation is ongoing.
The Florida grower that supplied the recalled cucumbers to Fresh Start is no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season.
FDA Current Update
June 5, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections potentially linked to cucumbers.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC for the Salmonella Africana investigation, as of June 4, 162 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Africana have been reported from 25 states and the District of Columbia. Of the 65 people interviewed, 47 (72%) reported eating cucumbers.
CDC and FDA are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections, with 158 illnesses in 23 states. The two outbreaks share several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of ill people. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food vehicle. Information will be provided on the source of the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak as it becomes available.
As part of the Salmonella Africana investigation, state partners in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture collected samples of cucumbers from several retail locations in their state. One sample supplied by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida, tested positive for Salmonella. Additional analysis is ongoing to determine the specific strain of Salmonella that was detected on the cucumbers and if they are linked to an outbreak.
In response to the positive sample, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. has recalled cucumbers grown in Florida. English and mini cucumbers are not included in this recall. Cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. are from a variety of growers. The grower that likely supplied potentially contaminated cucumbers is no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season.
The investigations are ongoing to determine the source(s) of contamination and whether these or other products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.
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Laboratory Data
WGS analysis of bacteria from 196 people’s samples predicted resistance to fosfomycin. Among these, bacteria from 6 people’s samples also predicted resistance to one or more of the following antibiotics: amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, azithromycin, cefoxitin, ceftiofur, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site. Most people with Salmonella illness recover without antibiotics. However, if antibiotics are needed, some illnesses in this outbreak may be difficult to treat with some commonly recommended antibiotics and may require a different antibiotic choice.
As part of the Salmonella Africana investigation, officials in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture collected samples of cucumbers from several retail locations in the state. Testing identified Salmonella Bareilly, a different strain of Salmonella than the one making people sick in this outbreak. CDC is not currently investigating an outbreak of illnesses with this strain.
Public Health Actions
CDC advises people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled cucumbers while the investigation is ongoing.
The Florida grower that supplied the recalled cucumbers to Fresh Start is no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season.
FDA Current Update
June 5, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana infections potentially linked to cucumbers.
Based on epidemiological information collected by CDC for the Salmonella Africana investigation, as of June 4, 162 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Africana have been reported from 25 states and the District of Columbia. Of the 65 people interviewed, 47 (72%) reported eating cucumbers.
CDC and FDA are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections, with 158 illnesses in 23 states. The two outbreaks share several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of ill people. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food vehicle. Information will be provided on the source of the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak as it becomes available.
As part of the Salmonella Africana investigation, state partners in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture collected samples of cucumbers from several retail locations in their state. One sample supplied by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida, tested positive for Salmonella. Additional analysis is ongoing to determine the specific strain of Salmonella that was detected on the cucumbers and if they are linked to an outbreak.
In response to the positive sample, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. has recalled cucumbers grown in Florida. English and mini cucumbers are not included in this recall. Cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. are from a variety of growers. The grower that likely supplied potentially contaminated cucumbers is no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season.
The investigations are ongoing to determine the source(s) of contamination and whether these or other products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.
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