Walmart in A.L. not affected

By Albert Lea Tribune and Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — A California company is recalling its cucumbers after a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 285 people in 27 states and killed a San Diego woman.

Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego on Friday voluntarily recalled its “Limited Edition” brand garden cucumbers, which were grown in Mexico.

The cucumbers are sold in Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club and Albertsons. Andrew & Wilson also supplies vegetables to Olive Garden, Red Lobster and In-And-Out.

A Walmart representative said Albert Lea’s location was not affected by the outbreak.

Health officials said the cucumbers are the likely cause of hundreds of illnesses since July 3 and the Aug. 17 death of a 99-year-old woman. Half the people who became ill are under 18 years of age.

Health officials said at least 12 Minnesotans are among at least 285 people in 27 states sickened in the outbreak.

The Minnesota Department of Health said at least 10 of the state’s cases were linked to cucumbers served at five Red Lobster restaurants.

The Minnesotans range in age from 8 to 79 and are from nine metro and greater Minnesota counties. They became sick between Aug. 13 to 25. Six victims were hospitalized. All are recovering.

Red Lobster has pulled cucumbers from all its restaurants, even though most cases nationally were not linked to the chain.

The health department said consumers should not eat cucumbers recalled by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce. If in doubt about the origins, consumers should contact their retailer or not eat them.

The cucumbers were distributed in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina,Texas and Utah.

The produce company said it is working with health officials to determine if its products are the source of the outbreak, and it undertook the voluntary recall out of caution.

“The safety and health of the consumers who buy our products have always been the highest priority for us,” Dave Murray, a partner in the company, said in a phone interview. “I bring our produce home to my family, that’s how much I believe in the produce we buy, ship and sell. We’ve invested millions to make sure our food safety systems are effective and up to date.”

Washington state health officials said nine residents have been sickened from the cucumber-related salmonella outbreak. Three cases have been reported in Oregon, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control.

In Idaho, health officials said eight residents have gotten sick. One of them was hospitalized but has recovered. Idaho officials are investigating six other possible cases linked to the outbreak.

No one in Washington state has been hospitalized. Those cases are in Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Thurston and Yakima counties.

A total of 66 cases of salmonella linked to the cucumbers have been reported in six Arizona counties. About 75 percent of the cases are children ages 17 and under.