Cucumbers believed to be contaminated with salmonella have been recalled in Florida and 13 other states, including Illinois and New York.

If you recently purchased cucumbers at your grocery store, it’s important to take the time to contact your grocer to verify if they are part of the recall. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns: “If you can’t tell, do not eat them.” The CDC also wants consumers to wash with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher any items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled cucumbers.

According to the CDC, salmonella-contaminated cucumbers shipped from May 17 through May 21 to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. More than 160 people reported illnesses related to the tainted cucumbers, according to health officials.

CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating cucumbers contaminated by either of two salmonella strains. The affected cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5-2 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long. The FDA noted the recall does not include mini-cucumbers and English cucumbers.

According to the FDA, food contaminated with salmonella may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumption of contaminated food can cause salmonellosis, the most common symptoms of which are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after consumption. Most people recover without treatment; however, older adults, infants, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of developing a severe illness and should seek medical attention if symptoms arise.

Call your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit; diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving; bloody diarrhea; and/or an inability to keep down liquids due to uncontrollable vomiting.

To learn more about this recall, visit the FDA notice and/or CDC announcement.

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