"Cucumbers are the unsung hero of toddler dinners. Heads up moms: cucumbers are now the latest fresh produce affected by a nationwide recall. On November 27, 2024, the FDA announced the cucumber recall due to potential Salmonella contamination. Here’s everything to know about the most recent recall of yet another family-favorite food item.
Which Cucumbers Are Recalled?
The recall involves cucumbers sold between October 12 and November 26, 2024. These cucumbers were distributed under the “SunFed” label and are suspected of being contaminated with Salmonella. The affected cucumbers are likely no longer on store shelves but may be in consumers’ homes.
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Where Are Cucumbers Being Recalled?
The recall applies to all sizes of whole fresh cucumbers sold under the “SunFed” label across the United States. The vegetables were sold by the named company and shipped to 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. But the cucumbers may have made their way under this label to other states not included above.
What Should Parents Look Out For?
You may be asking yourself, “should I throw away my cucumbers?” Before you do that, check the label of the distributor. The odds are that if you purchased cucumbers before November 26, they’re no longer in the fridge. If you know you purchased a “SunFed” cucumber during this time, contact the company’s recall hotline at (888) 542-5849. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MST.
SunFed provided pictures of the recalled product to help customers ascertain whether they purchased a contaminated product. Recalled cucumbers may have come with a sticker with the code #4062 on it.
“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,” president of SunFed, Craig Slate, said in a statement. “Here at SunFed, food safety and consumer health and wellness have been our priorities for more than 30 years. We require all of our growers to strictly comply with the FDA food safety requirements.”
What Should You Do If You Have Recalled Cucumbers?
According to the FDA, you should follow these specific guidelines if you have the recalled cucumbers in your fridge . Do not eat the recalled cucumbers. The FDA encourages anyone with these recalled vegetables to throw them out, or return them directly to the retailers.
Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled organic cucumbers using hot soapy water or a dishwasher. You’ll want to contact your healthcare provider if you are concerned about illness symptoms.
What Is the Risk of Salmonella?
Of course, worrying is a given when it comes to our kids and the health of our families. No parent wants to think the food they purchased could make someone sick. If you think you or your family have been exposed, here’s what you should know and watch out for, according to the CDC’s website:
- Salmonella bacteria can make people sick with salmonellosis.
- People usually come into contact with Salmonella through contaminated food or drinking water.
- Children age 5 and under and adults over age 65 are the most at risk of serious infection.
- Symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms can begin anywhere from six hours to six days after infection and last from four up to seven days.
Roberta Correia, Editor-in-Chief
Roberta is an editor with 10+ years experience in content strategy and brand building. Before joining The Everymom she was Editorial Director at Brides and previously served as Digital Editor at Women’s Wear Daily. She grew up in Brazil and currently calls Brooklyn home with her son, Lucas.