SAN DIEGO, CA - Following reports of the recent cucumber recall, Partner David Murray of Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce (A&W) affirmed that the company is doing everything in its power to assuage concerns.
All cucumbers sold under A&W’s Limited Edition® label from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015 have been voluntarily recalled out of the abundance of caution. A&W has contacted all customers who may have received this product to ensure that it has been removed from all marketing channels.
“On the evening of September 4th, we were informed by the FDA and the California Department of Public Health that indicated that cucumbers sold under our Limited Edition label may be contaminated with Salmonella,” Murray tells us. “We want everyone to understand that as soon as we learned of the situation, all operations at this packing facility and farm were ceased and that we are working non-stop with authorities to determine if, and how, our cucumbers are involved.”
According to an FDA press release, Limited Edition® cucumbers were produced in Baja California and were distributed in 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 and reached customers through retail, food service companies, wholesalers, and brokers.
The incident is isolated to cucumbers alone. A&W’s tomatoes, also currently being produced in Baja California, are being shipped out of a completely separate packing facility and a different farming region.
“Andrew and Williamson is a family business,” Murray continued. “We feed the products we grow to our families. That’s why the safety and wellness of consumers is part of every business decision we make. If we have a problem, we will find it, and we will fix it."
The Centers for Disease Control have reported that 285 cases of Salmonella Poona have been reported to date in 27 states, as of September 4, 2015.
These cucumbers, often referred to as a “Slicer” or “American” cucumber, can be found in a black, green, yellow, and craft-colored carton which reads “Limited Edition Pole Grown Cucumbers.” It is typically sold in a bulk display without any individual packaging or plastic wrapping for retailers. In foodservice, it is typically served as part of a salad.
A&W is making every effort to continue maintaining its high standards of quality and food safety. As the investigation is still ongoing, please stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow the situation.
