According to the FDA, Baloian Farms of Arizona has issued recall of their Pamela and PamPak branded whole cucumbers due to concerns about possible Salmonella contamination. The company announced the recall on November 29th after consulting with the FDA about the decision.
The cucumbers included in the recall were sold from October 12th to November 26th to distributors in Canada and to retailers in at least 18 U.S. states, including CA, AZ, TX, MI, MT, NC, CO, KS, NY, MA, ID, OR, WA, NV, IA, MO, WI, and AL. The PamPak cucumbers (UPC # UPC 8 2540107010 6) were sold in clear plastic bags with a label that says, “Fresh Cucumbers” above the brand name. Each bag contains six whole cucumbers. The bags were packed and distributed in white cardboard boxes that feature the PamPak logo. The Pamela brand whole cucumbers were also distributed in cardboard boxes with a brand label. The sticker affixed to the box lists “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.,” which is the Mexican grower that supplied the cucumbers to Baloian Farms of Arizona.
According to the FDA, Baloian’s recall is part of a larger nationwide recall of whole cucumbers linked to Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. out of Sonora, Mexico. The FDA reports that 68 people have been infected with Salmonella after consuming cucumbers that can be traced back to this supplier. While no fatalities have been reported in connection to the outbreak, at least 18 people have been admitted to the hospital as a result of Salmonella infection. Other companies that have also recalled cucumbers supplied by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. include SunFed and Russ Davis.
According to Mayo Clinic, infection with Salmonella bacteria is not typically dangerous for people with healthy immune systems. Some people are asymptomatic, and others develop a variety of symptoms that can include gastrointestinal discomfort with fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Infection with Salmonella can be dangerous for very young children, the elderly, and people who are immunocompromised. Complications of infection might include dehydration or spread of the infection beyond the digestive tract. Medical intervention may be necessary in high-risk populations or for people whose symptoms show no improvement after a few days.
Baloian Farms advises distributors and customers to discard of all cucumbers from the recalled lots. The product should not be consumed, as it may cause illness.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Baloian Farms, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at 888-840-6642.
If you’ve suffered an illness or an adverse health outcome after consumption or handling of a food product contaminated with Salmonella, the legal team at TruLaw would like to hear your story and discuss how we might help you seek just compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial consequences you’ve faced. As you continue to focus on your recovery, reach out to our experienced attorneys today or try out our free Instant Case Evaluation ℠ to get started.