Party Trays, Hush Puppies, and Additional Cucumbers Recalled Over Contamination Issues

December 8, 2024 TruthUSA

The recalls are a response to a salmonella outbreak that has impacted 19 states.

Several products containing imported cucumbers, along with two hush puppy items, are being removed from shelves across multiple states due to concerns regarding bacterial contamination and milk allergens.

The cucumber-related recalls stem from a multistate investigation into a salmonella outbreak, conducted by state and federal agencies, which is tied to cucumbers imported from Mexico.

American importers of these cucumbers—SunFed Produce and Baloian Farms, both based in Arizona—had already taken affected products off the market in late November. Now, other companies that procured cucumbers from these importers are also removing their products.

Hardie’s Fresh Foods, located in Texas, is withdrawing whole cucumbers distributed in Houston and Dallas that were sold in Costco locations, as per a Dec. 7 announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The cucumbers were sourced from SunFed and repacked by Hardie’s, which has ceased production and distribution of these cucumbers. They were sold in clear plastic bags identified with lot codes X2377074, X2379602, X2381000, X2381080, X2383400, X2384557, and X2384587.

According to the announcement, salmonella infections “can lead to severe and sometimes fatal illnesses in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.”

Individuals infected by this bacterium may experience symptoms such as vomiting, fever, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and possibly bloody diarrhea.

“In rare instances, salmonella infections can result in the bacteria entering the bloodstream, leading to more severe conditions such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.”

Currently, no illnesses associated with these products have been reported.

Hardie’s has urged customers who purchased these items not to consume them.

Additionally, California-based F&S Fresh Foods is withdrawing its 22-ounce Mediterranean Inspired Party Tray from the market, based on a Dec. 6 recall notice. The tzatziki sauce used in this product includes cucumbers sourced from SunFed.

These items were sold in California through Ralph’s stores, and in Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah via Smith’s stores. They were packaged in plastic clamshells and carry “sell by” dates from Nov. 27 to Dec. 11.

On Friday, California’s Fresh Creative Foods withdrew their Beef & Lamb Gyro Sandwich Express Meal Kits since the tzatziki sauce utilized in this product contained cucumbers from Baloian.

This product was distributed nationwide to Sam’s Club locations and has a “use by” date of Dec. 24 to Jan. 6. Fresh Creative has stopped using cucumbers from Baloian.

The salmonella outbreak has resulted in 68 reported illnesses, with 18 individuals hospitalized across 19 states.

Milk Allergen Recall

In light of the cucumber recalls, Atkinson Milling Company, based in North Carolina, has announced a withdrawal of hush puppy products due to an “undeclared milk allergen.”

“On November 29, 2024, during an internal label review, the company found that milk had not been listed in the ‘ingredients’ or ‘contains’ sections, despite being a component of these items,” the recall statement noted.

“Consumers with allergies or severe sensitivities to milk risk serious or potentially life-threatening allergic reactions if they eat these products.”

The recall includes two products: hush puppies sold in 2-pound, 8-ounce packages, and hush puppies with onions available in both 2-pound, 8-ounce and 1-pound packages. These items were distributed in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

According to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, approximately 2 to 3 percent of children under three years old have milk allergies, with around 80 percent expected to outgrow this condition by their 16th birthday.

Symptoms of a milk allergy may include upset stomach, bloody stools, vomiting, and anaphylaxis, a serious condition that impairs breathing and can lead to shock.

“Individuals with a milk or dairy allergy experience symptoms because their immune system mistakenly identifies milk and dairy products as harmful invaders,” the organization explains.

Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends that those with such allergies avoid all food items containing milk ingredients.

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