ⓒ CBC News
Canadian health officials have issued a recall for SunFed Produce brand whole, fresh American cucumbers due to potential salmonella contamination. The cucumbers, sold in various Canadian provinces throughout October and November, are now under scrutiny. The recall encompasses all sizes of cucumbers packaged in bulk cardboard containers bearing the SunFed label or generic white boxes/black plastic crates with a sticker identifying the grower, Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico.
The affected cucumbers were distributed across Canada and the United States between October 12th and November 26th. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is actively investigating the matter and could issue further warnings. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators for these cucumbers and immediately discard any recalled products. Thorough cleaning and sanitization of any surfaces that may have come into contact with the cucumbers is also recommended to prevent cross-contamination.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued a recall, impacting consumers in 26 states. The FDA reports 68 individuals have fallen ill with a specific strain of salmonella linked to the cucumbers, with 18 hospitalizations. The FDA website provides additional images of the cucumber packaging to aid consumers in identification.
This recall underscores the importance of food safety vigilance. While the CFIA states that the data doesn’t suggest a rise in food recalls overall, the recent surge in recalls involving E. coli, Listeria, and salmonella has raised concerns. Consumers are urged to remain alert and report any illnesses potentially linked to these recalled cucumbers to their healthcare provider.
SunFed Produce has proactively collaborated with authorities to investigate the source of the contamination. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning typically begin within six to 72 hours of exposure and can include headache, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
