Food safety alert
This outbreak is over. Learn what you can do to protect yourself from getting sick from Salmonella.
Fast Facts
United States
- Cases: 551
- Hospitalizations: 155
- Deaths: 0
- States: 34 and the District of Columbia
This outbreak is over. Learn what you can do to protect yourself from getting sick from Salmonella.
Outbreak investigation summary
This outbreak is over. Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory data showed that cucumbers were contaminated with Salmonella and made people sick. Testing identified the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak strain in untreated canal water used by a grower in Florida. An additional grower was identified as a likely source of illnesses in this outbreak. Cucumbers from both of these growers are no longer in season and products are no longer on shelves.
Recalled Food
Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. issued a recall of whole cucumbers due to the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella. Recalled cucumbers did not account for all the illnesses in this outbreak.
What you should do
Follow these four food safety steps to prevent getting sick from Salmonella.
- Clean: Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces often. Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or peeling.
- Separate: Keep food that won't be cooked separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure you have cooked your food to a temperature high enough to kill germs.
- Chill: Refrigerate perishable food (food that goes bad) within 2 hours. If the outside temperature is hotter than 90°F, refrigerate within 1 hour. Thaw food in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Symptoms of Salmonella
- Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
- For more information about Salmonella, see About Salmonella.