E.Coli, metal and even a dead bat have been found in recalled food. In fact, food recalls are increasing. Yet, that might actually be a good sign. Here's why.
The Food and Drug Administration has increased the number of illnesses and states affected by a multistate outbreak of salmonella linked to cucumbers.
In an update published on Dec. 19, the FDA said 100 people across 23 states were infected with the salmonella strain linked to the cucumber outbreak. That's up from earlier this month, when the FDA said the outbreak had sickened 68 people in 19 states.
With the update, "of the 90 people for whom information is available, 25 have been hospitalized (up from 18). No deaths have been reported," the FDA said. "Of the 67 people interviewed, 54 (81%) reported eating or likely eating cucumbers."
Arizona company SunFed Produce recalled cucumbers sold Oct. 12 through Nov. 26 in more than two dozen states - including at some Walmart, Wegmans, and Albertsons stores - and in parts of Canada because they may be contaminated with salmonella. Costco and Kroger also recently notified customers they sold some of the recalled cucumbers.
"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," SunFed president Craig Slate said in a Nov. 27 press release.
The FDA said it continued working with retailers and distributors to determine if additional recalls will be issued.
USA TODAY reached out to SunFed for comment.
Here is what you need to know about the cucumber recall.
FDA updates added more brands to cucumber recall
Since the initial recall, the FDA has issued several updates adding additional brands with cucumbers being recalled for a potential salmonella risk.
Here is a list of dates and brands that issued recalls:
What states have been impacted by the salmonella outbreak tied to cucumbers?
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says 100 people have been sickened in this salmonella outbreak - the CDC's epidemiologic and traceback data show salmonella contamination may be traced back to cucumbers grown by the produce company Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico.
But there may be more sick people, because many recover without medical care and are not tested.
States where cucumbers possibly linked to salmonella were sold
The whole fresh American cucumbers were sold by SunFed and other importers, then shipped to customers located in 26 states. However, the cucumbers may also have reached consumers through food service and retail outlets in additional states, the FDA said.
Here's the list of states where recalled cucumbers were sold, according to the FDA:
Cucumbers with possible health risks due to salmonella were also used in Fresh Creative Foods Beef & Lamb Gyro Sandwich Express Meal Kits, which were sold nationwide in Sam's Clubs, and in Sprouts Farmers Market Gyro Family Kits sold in Georgia.
The cucumbers were also sold in these Canadian provinces:
Salmonella is a bacteria that can enter the food production chain when the process isn't sanitary and when workers handling food do not wash their hands, the FDA says. Salmonella can be spread via contaminated water errantly used to irrigate crops, according to the CDC.
Symptoms of salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, usually occur between six hours and six days after exposure and may include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, the CDC says.
Severe infections may include aches, headaches, elevated fever, lethargy, rashes, and blood in the urine or stool. Some salmonella infections may become fatal.
Salmonella causes about 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the U.S. annually, according to the CDC.