The massive outbreak of Salmonella Poona, with victims in at least 27 states, has been linked to “American Cucumbers” harvested in Baja, Mexico and imported/distributed through the Californian company Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce (A&W), a produce company headquartered in San Diego that imports and sells a variety of fruits and vegetables. The American Cucumbers, also known as “slicer cucumbers,” are sold under the brand name Limited Edition® though it would be difficult for customers buying the product to identify the source since they are usually sold in bulk. A&W cucumbers are widely distributed, and sold in Wal-Mart, Costco, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Whole Foods, to name but a few.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Salmonella Poona contaminated cucumbers have now been identified in victims in a least 27 states, and have been associated with one death in San Diego, the company’s headquarter. The victim was a 99-year-old woman. Another 53 victims have been hospitalized so far. And now, for the first time, Salmonella Poona victims have been identified in New York.
New York Latest Victim of Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak – Ironically, New York Not on Distribution List
A&W issued a massive recall of all Limited Edition® label cucumbers with dates of Aug. 1st to September 3rd of this year. But according to the company website, the cucumbers were only distributed to 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. The company did admit, however, that the cucumbers were resold/distributed through many distributors and retail chains (such as In-N-Out, Save Mart, Sams Club, The Capital Grille, United, Albertson, HEB, Safeway, Kroger, Walmart, Costco, Fresh & Easy and Red Lobster) and believed to have crossed to other states. And reports confirm this much wider distribution, with four victims in the Salmonella Cucumber outbreak having now been identified in New York, coming on the heels of similar reports in Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These are all states which are NOT on the list of states that received the cucumbers directly from A&W. In addition, the cucumbers were shipped directly to New Jersey, Florida, Kentucky, and Mississippi, states that have yet to identify victims in this cucumber Salmonella outbreak.
Note: Mexican Production Facilities Closed
A&W purchases its American Cucumbers from Rancho Don Juanito, who grows them in the Baja California region of Mexico. At present, all importation of these cucumbers has been halted pending a thorough investigation. So far, nearly 300 victims have been identified in this outbreak.
For more information, and to speak to a Salmonella lawyer, call 1-888-335-4901. The Salmonella lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates can answer questions about your legal rights and bringing a Salmonella Cucumber Lawsuit or claim.
