A fresh produce recall has been issued by PennRose Farms, LLC following concerns over salmonella contamination. The company, based in Wellington, Florida, has pulled back over 1,150 cases of cucumbers from distribution channels.
The move was triggered by a notification from Fresh Start Produce Sales, who supplied the cucumbers to PennRose. The original grower, Bedner Growers, has also issued a recall. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the alert on Thursday, advising consumers not to consume the affected produce.
Contaminated Batches and Affected Distribution
According to the FDA, the recalled items are five-pound mesh bags of whole cucumbers marked with the logos of PennRose Farms and Restaurant Depot. They were packaged between May 2 and May 5, and each carries the UPC code 841214101714. The following lot numbers are involved in the recall: 48-122, 48-123, 48-124, and 48-125.
A total of 1,152 cases, comprising 9,216 cucumbers, were shipped to Restaurant Depot distribution centres in five states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. These were later repackaged into retail mesh bags by PennRose Farms.
The FDA states that all recipients—including restaurants, distributors and retailers—have been instructed to destroy the product immediately. Consumers in possession of the affected cucumbers have been urged to dispose of them and seek medical advice if concerned.
Potential Health Risks and FDA Guidance
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, particularly in young children, elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA.
Symptoms of infection can include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In more severe instances, the bacteria may spread to the bloodstream, leading to conditions such as arterial infections, endocarditis, or arthritis.
So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall. The FDA has urged distributors to notify any customers who may have received or served the cucumbers. Questions regarding the recall can be directed to PennRose Farms directly.
This latest recall follows a similar incident earlier this spring, when Williams Farms Repack LLC withdrew thousands of tomato packs due to similar concerns. The case highlights ongoing challenges in maintaining food safety standards across extensive distribution networks.
