Map shows states with potentially contaminated cucumbers. How do cucumbers get salmonella?

Cucumbers are the latest items to be recalled for fear of salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that the produce from a Florida farm would be recalled from the 14 states where it was distributed.

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida is recalling whole cucumbers — dark green, approximately 1.5 - 2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long — shipped in bulk cartons from May 17th through May 21, 2024, directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors.

"Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall," according to the FDA release, which also said it was unlikely the potentially contaminated cukes had made it to store shelves.

This was the latest in a series of recalls for potential salmonella contamination. In the last few months, chia seeds from Walmart, coated snacks, and Quaker Oats cereals have been pulled from shelves, and on Tuesday the FDA announced that Baraka ground black pepper was also being recalled nationwide.

However, after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture found that a cucumber sample tested positive the FDA began testing to see if it was connected to an ongoing Salmonella africana outbreak that has so far affected 141 people.

A previous salmonella outbreak this year linked to organic basil sold at Trader Joe's affected 12 people in seven states, including Florida, leaving one person hospitalized.

Where were the recalled cucumbers distributed?

The cucumbers, distributed in bulk from Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. in Delray, were sent to 14 states:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Maryland
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• West Virginia

How can cucumbers get salmonella?

Any edible item, including water, can be contaminated with salmonella, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Salmonella bacteria live in animal intestines and can be spread through feces. Anything that comes in contact with contaminated feces can also be contaminated.

'Some fresh produce, particularly imported varieties, may be irrigated in the field or washed during processing with water contaminated with salmonella," the Mayo Clinic said in its salmonella fact sheet.

What is salmonella? What are the symptoms?

"Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its fact page.

Salmonella can make people ill with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps which can last from four days up to a week. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection, the CDC said. Most cases of Salmonella infections pass, but some people may need to be hospitalized.

Salmonella bacteria cause "about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year," the CDC said. "Food is the source for most of these illnesses."

Symptoms may also include nausea, vomiting, or a headache. Call a doctor if you have:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
• Bloody stools
• Prolonged vomiting that prevents you from keeping liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as making very little urine, dry mouth and throat and/or dizziness when standing up

What to do if you have any of these cucumbers

The FDA said the cucumbers are unlikely to be in the marketplace, but if you suspect you may have bought them in that time period you should throw them out or return them to where you bought them for a refund. Check your local retailer to find out if they sell cucumbers from this provider.

The company's website does not list any specific retailers it may supply.

Consumers with additional questions may contact Fresh Start Produce Sales at 1-888-364-2993, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.

Contributors: Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News; Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY