Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce Recalls Limited Edition Brand® Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk
September 04 2015 - 9:13PM
Business Wire
Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce (“A&W”) of San Diego,
California is voluntarily recalling all cucumbers sold under the
Limited Edition® label during the period from August 1, 2015
through September 3, 2015 because it may be contaminated with
Salmonella.
A&W is currently working with health authorities to
determine if, in fact, this product is the source of an outbreak of
Salmonella with illnesses being reporting in as many as 27 states.
In the meantime, out of an abundance of caution, the company is
taking all actions necessary to prevent further consumption of
potentially affected products. These actions include this voluntary
recall and all harvesting and packing of cucumbers with the
potential to be linked to this outbreak have been stopped until
further information is known. A&W has also contacted all
customers who may have received this product so that product in
marketing channels can be removed.
“The safety and welfare of consumers is our highest priority.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been sickened in
this outbreak,” said Fred Williamson, President and CEO. “We are
taking all precautions possible to prevent further consumption of
this product and are working to learn if and how these cucumbers
are involved in this outbreak.”
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes
fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and
others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with
Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody),
nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances,
infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into
the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as
arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and
arthritis.
Limited Edition® cucumbers were produced in Baja California and
distributed in the states of Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada,
Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah and reached
customers through retail, food service companies, wholesalers, and
brokers.
These cucumbers are shipped in a black, green, yellow, and craft
colored carton which reads “Limited Edition Pole Grown Cucumbers.”
This variety is often referred to as a “Slicer” or “American”
cucumber. It has a dark green color. It typically has a length of 7
to 10 inches and a diameter of 1.75 to 2.5 inches. In retail it is
typically sold in a bulk display without any individual packaging
or plastic wrapping. In food service it is typically served as part
of a salad.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 285 cases of
Salmonella Poona have been reported to date in 27 states.
Consumers who have purchased Limited Edition® brand cucumbers
are urged not to consume them and to return them to the place of
purchase for a full refund or to dispose of them. Consumers with
questions may contact Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce by
visiting the company website at www.andrew-williamson.com or by
calling the company at (844) 483-3864.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150904005775/en/
for Andrew and Williamson Fresh ProduceDave Murray,
619-661-6004