What you need to know
Let’s keep it quick and clear. Here’s the cucumber conundrum in bullet points:
- Company announcement date: November 27, 2024
- FDA publish date: November 28, 2024
- Company involved: SunFed Produce, LLC
- Brand name: SunFed
- Product name: Whole fresh American cucumbers
- Issue: Potential contamination with Salmonella
- Product details: Sold in bulk containers with the “SunFed” label or generic white/black packaging with stickers from grower Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.
- Action required: Do not consume, serve, or sell. Dispose of the product or return it to the point of purchase.
Stick around to learn more about the recall, the health risks, and how to keep yourself safe! Shall we dive in?
What happened?
On November 27, 2024, SunFed Produce, LLC, initiated a recall of its fresh American cucumbers after the FDA linked the product to reported salmonellosis illnesses between October 12 – November 15, 2024. The recalled cucumbers were sold between October 12, 2024, thru November 26, 2024. The FDA published the recall announcement on November 28, 2024. The cucumbers, sold in bulk and distributed across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces, carry a Salmonella risk, prompting the company to take action. The cucumbers are packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled with the “SunFed” label or in a generic white box or black plastic crate with a sticker that provides the implicated grower’s name, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.”. The recalled product was distributed through foodservice and retail outlets across these states: 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 & Wisconsin and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Calgary, Saskatchewan, & Ontario.
Here’s a handy table for quick reference:
Brand | Product | Sticker | Issue |
Sunfed | Whole fresh cucumbers | Agrotato, S.A. den C.V. | Salmonella contamination |
What caused the issue?
The culprit is Salmonella, a bacterium notorious for causing gastrointestinal distress and more severe illnesses in vulnerable populations. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The infection can escalate in rare cases, leading to arterial infections, endocarditis, or arthritis. Symptoms of salmonellosis usually start 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7 days.
Who’s at risk?
- High-risk groups: Young children, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems.
- Symptoms: Start 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and can last up to a week.
At the time of the recall, no deaths were reported, but cases of illness linked to these cucumbers have been confirmed.
“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. 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.” Craig Slate, President at SunFed.
Here’s what you should do
Have cucumbers in your fridge? Here’s how to check and act:
- Look for labels or packaging from SunFed or stickers with “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.”
- The individual whole American cucumbers may also have a PLU sticker in the form of the picture shown before.
- Please dispose of the cucumbers immediately or return them to the point of purchase. Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products.
- Recalled products should be thrown out or destroyed so they may not be consumed or returned to the point of purchase.
- Clean and sanitize surfaces that could have come into contact with the recalled product to reduce cross-contamination.
- Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled product are advised to contact their retailer.
- Thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the cucumbers to avoid cross-contamination.
- Feeling unwell after consuming cucumbers? Contact your healthcare provider right away.
- Contact SunFed’s recall hotline (888) 542-5849, M-F 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. MST.
Pro tip: When in doubt, toss it out!
Behind the brand
SunFed, a prominent name in the fresh produce industry, is celebrated for its high-quality offerings. However, the recent Salmonella scare serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for rigorous safety protocols in food production. SunFed isn’t alone in facing such challenges—this week, Handsome Brook Farms recalled Kirkland Signature eggs due to Salmonella concerns. And that’s not all! Just days ago, on November 22, 2024, Hollywood Feed issued a recall for their chicken chips over similar risks. These incidents highlight a growing trend of Salmonella-related recalls, underscoring the importance of vigilance in ensuring food safety.
“The best way to handle a recall is to be prepared before it happens. Having robust traceability systems and supplier partnerships can make all the difference when responding effectively.” Eran Mizrahi, Source86’ CEO.
Ensuring safe eats
This recall underscores the critical need for stricter food safety protocols, from farm to fork. For consumers, it’s a reminder to remain vigilant about checking product labels and adhering to recall guidelines. For companies, this highlights the importance of proactive testing and transparent communication when issues arise.
Quick reminder: If you’ve purchased these recalled cucumbers, follow the steps to dispose of them or contact the retailer.
Looking for a reliable source of high-quality ingredients? Reach out to our team at Source86 for safe and premium produce solutions.
