Salmonella-tainted cucumbers cause at least 7 infections in Colorado

At least seven Coloradans have been sickened by cucumbers containing salmonella bacteria that were sold across the United States between October and November, prompting a recall by SunFed Produce, LLC.

The Food and Drug Administration this week announced that 68 people across 19 states have reportedly been infected with the outbreak strain of salmonella. Of the 33 victims interviewed by health officials, 27 reported eating cucumbers.

SunFed Produce on Wednesday began a voluntary recall of the cucumbers, which were grown by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico and sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26.

Symptoms of salmonella infection usually set in within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. People with weakened immune systems, older adults and children younger than five are more likely to become seriously ill.

The FDA encourages consumers to check their refrigerators and freezers for cucumbers grown by the company. If a cucumber has a sticker that says “SunFed Mexico,” it should be thrown away, and any surface it touched should be disinfected.