Cucumbers recalled across 14 states over potential Salmonella contamination

Cucumbers have been recalled in over a dozen states over fears of contamination with a life-threatening bacteria.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. had issued a recall for cucumbers shipped to 14 states from May 17 through May 21 due to potential Salmonella contamination.

The bacterium can cause serious and sometimes deadly infections in people with weakened immune systems, including young children and the elderly.

The affected cucumbers were sent to distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not believed to be affected, the FDA shared.

The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture discovered that a product sample had tested positive for Salmonella.

The FDA is now working to determine if the sample is related to an 'ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation,' according to the release.

The bacterium lives in animal intestinal tracts and is usually transmitted to humans through fecal contamination of food.

The resulting infection, known as salmonellosis, triggers diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within eight to 72 hours after exposure.

However, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration requiring hospitalization, and the infection may lead to cause death if it spreads beyond the intestines.

Saturday's announcement comes on the heels of a spate of other recalls including one issued for Fiji Water on May 23.

The recall of nearly two million bottles came after testing found evidence of manganese and three unspecified types of bacteria in some bottles.

Manganese naturally occurs in soil, but continued exposure to the mineral can cause liver, kidney and lung damage. It can also affect the nervous and reproductive systems.

In a statement, the company claimed that the announcement related to 'a matter from several months ago that never posed any health or safety risk.'

On May 24, Dairy Manufacturers, Inc. announced that it was conducting a voluntary recall of three brands of baby formula after failing to comply with FDA regulations.

While no adverse reactions have been reported to date, the ingredients have yet to be evaluated to determine whether they meet food safety and nutritional standards.