Cucumber-linked salmonella outbreak sickens 100 people in 23 states

Tips on how to avoid food poisoning

Tips on how to avoid food poisoning 02:34

Federal officials are urging people not to eat recalled cucumbers, as well as salads, wraps, party trays and meal kits that could contain the product, amid an investigation into an outbreak of salmonella that has now sickened at least 100 people in 23 U.S. states and sent 25 to the hospital. 

The tally by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention involved illnesses that started on dates ranging from October 12, 2024, to November 23, 2024, with the true number of sick people likely much higher, given many recover without being treated or tested.

The state hardest hit in the outbreak appeared to be Montana, where 17 were reported sickened, followed by Wisconsin, with 12 cases, and Colorado, Oregon and Wyoming each reporting eight cases. Massachusetts, Texas and Washington accounted for six cases, followed by five in South Dakota and three each in California, Illinois and Iowa. Alaska, Michigan, New Jersey and Utah all called in two cases, and eight states reported one: Arizona, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 

Many companies have recalled whole fresh cucumbers grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico, and sold by importers between October 12 and November 26, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Additionally, companies have recalled sliced cucubers or foods that contain them, it said.

SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms of Arizona Co. and Russ Davis Wholesale have all recalled cucumbers, with the latter also recalling multiple products containing them, including ready-to-eat salads and wraps, the FDA noted.

Image of Gyro Family Kits recalled from Sprouts Farmers Market stores in 24 states. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The latest recall involves Gyro Family Kits sold at Sprouts Farmers Market stores in 24 states, with use-by dates running through Jan. 7, 2025, announced Reser's Fine Foods in a notice published December 10. The tzatziki sauce in the kits was made with cucumbers potentially contaminated with the bacteria, the company said.

Beef & Lamb Gyro Sandwich Express Meal Kits with use-by dates of Dec. 24, 2024 to Jan. 6, 2025 were distributed to Sam's Club warehouses nationwide and are being recalled as the products contain tzatziki sauce with possibly tainted cucumbers, according to a notice posted by the agency December 6.

Image of recalled meal kit sold at Sam's Club warehouses nationwide. U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Cucumbers from SunFed Produce and supplied to Dairyland Produce are being recalled after being sold at Costco locations in Houston and Dallas, according to a notice published by the FDA on December 7. Mediterranean-inspired party trays with sell-by dates running to December 11 and sold at Ralph's stores in California and Smith's stores in Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming are being recalled as the Grecian Delight Tzatziki sauce contains potentially contaminated cucumbers from SunFed. 

The recalls include one announced on December 5 involving vegetable trays and salads sold at Kroger and King Soopers retail stores in Colorado and Texas, with best-by dates running to December 6, as well as  a recall of grab-n-go Yummi Sushi sold at Kroger stores in Texas. A separate but related recall involves Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices sold at 34 Walmart stores in Texas.

The recalled cucumbers were sold in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 

Map of U.S. distribution of recalled cucumbers. Food and Drug Administration

Consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for recalled cucumbers from SunFed Produce, Baloian Farms and Russ Davis. The produce may have a sticker that reads "SunFed Mexico" or are packaged in a clear PamPak branded bag of six individual cucumbers with universal product code 8 2540107010 6, the FDA stated.

Products containing the recalled cucumbers include Crazy Fresh Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing, Quick & Easy Garden Salad with Ranch Dressing, Crazy Fresh Turkey Havarti Wrap, Quick & Easy Bacon Avocado Wrap, Crazy Fresh Bacon Avocado Wrap and Kowalski's Market Garden Salad. 

People who purchased whole, fresh American/slicer cucumbers on or after October 12 and who aren't sure of their origin should ask the seller if they are part of the recall or throw them out. 

Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, with symptoms usually starting six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although most recover without treatment within a week, some people, especially the young and the old, may experience more severe illnesses that require treatment or hospitalization. 

Foodborne illnesses hospitalize more than 50,000 Americans every year, with more than 900 dying as a result of seven pathogens, including salmonella, the CDC said December 10 in findings based on incidents in 2019.