Cucumbers imported from Mexico have spread salmonella to 27 states, leaving one person dead and making 285 sick, federal health officials said Friday.
The importer has recalled the cucumbers but if people have any doubt about the source of their cucumbers they should not eat them, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
CDC and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating, the agencies said.
"Since July 3, 2015, 285 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona have been reported from 27 states,” the CDC said in a statement.
It said 53 people were sick enough to be hospitalized and one person died in California.
"Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations have identified imported cucumbers from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce as a likely source of the infections in this outbreak," the CDC said.
"On September 4, 2015, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold under the 'Limited Edition' brand label during the period from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015 because they may be contaminated with Salmonella."
The dark green cucumbers are 7 to 10 inches long and called "slicer" or "American" cucumbers.
"Consumers should not eat, restaurants should not serve, and retailers should not sell recalled cucumbers," the CDC said.
