Urgent recall for cucumbers as dozens fall sick with salmonella in 26 states

Cucumbers have been recalled from major retailers due to potentially being contaminated with deadly bacteria.

SunFed Produce, LLC, has recalled all sizes of its fresh whole cucumbers due to containing the bacteria salmonella, which hospitalizes 26,000 Americans every year.

The recall includes SunFed cucumbers sold in 26 states and five Canadian provinces, according to the FDA. Affected products were sold at Walmart, Wegmans and Albertsons stores.

There have been 68 illnesses and 18 hospitalizations, according to the CDC. No deaths have been reported. 

The affected products were sold in the following states, the FDA said: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

They were also sold in Canadian provinces Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. 

The cucumbers were sold to companies that resell or redistribute produce to food service retailers. Arizona-based SunFed said it is contacting buyers to advise them of the recall of the cucumbers, which were sold in bulk cardboard containers with the 'SunFed' label or in a plastic crate with a sticker identifying the grower in Mexico: 'Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.' 

SunFed president Craig Slate said in a statement: 'As soon as we learned of this issue, we immediately acted to protect consumers. We are working closely with authorities and the implicated ranch to determine the possible cause.' 

Walmart, Wegmans, and Albertsons all issued recall notices to consumers in affected states. 

Salmonella is caused by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. It typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that begin six hours to six days after initial infection, according to the CDC. 

Most people recover within days, though the illness is responsible for more than 26,000 hospitalizations and 400 deaths a year. 

The FDA warns to not consume affected products. If you are unsure if a product has been recalled, contact the retailer from whom it was purchased.