Multiple products using imported cucumbers as well as two hush puppy items are being pulled out from stores in several states over bacterial contamination and milk allergen concerns.

Cucumber products are being recalled following a multistate investigation into a salmonella outbreak by state and federal agencies. The investigation is linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico.

American importers of the cucumbers—Arizona-based SunFed Produce and Baloian Farms of Arizona Co.—had already withdrawn the affected items in late November. Now, companies that sourced cucumbers from these two importers are pulling their products from the market.

Texas-based Hardie’s Fresh Foods is withdrawing whole cucumbers distributed in Houston and Dallas that were sold in Costco outlets, according to a Dec. 7 announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The cucumbers were sourced from SunFed and repacked by Hardie’s, which has since stopped the production and distribution of the cucumbers. The items were sold in clear plastic bags with lot codes X2377074, X2379602, X2381000, X2381080, X2383400, X2384557, and X2384587.

Getting infected by salmonella “can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems,” the announcement said.

People infected by the bacteria experience symptoms like vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and potentially bloody diarrhea.

“In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.”

So far, no illnesses linked to these products have been reported.

Hardie’s asked customers who have bought the items to avoid consuming them.

California-based F&S Fresh Foods is pulling its 22-ounce Mediterranean Inspired Party Tray from the market, according to a Dec. 6 recall notice. The Grecian Delight Tzatziki sauce used in the product contained cucumbers sourced from SunFed.

The items were sold in California via Ralph’s stores and in Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah through Smith’s stores. They were packaged in plastic clamshell containers and have “sell by” dates ranging from Nov. 27 to Dec. 11.

On Friday, California-based Fresh Creative Foods withdrew Beef & Lamb Gyro Sandwich Express Meal Kits as the tzatziki sauce used in the item contained cucumbers from Baloian.

The product was distributed nationwide through Sam’s Club warehouses and has a “use by” date of Dec. 24 to Jan. 6. Fresh Creative is no longer using cucumbers sourced from Baloian.

The salmonella outbreak has led to 68 people getting ill, with 18 hospitalized, across 19 states.

Milk Allergen Recall

Amid the cucumber recalls, North Carolina-based Atkinson Milling Company announced it was withdrawing hush puppy products, citing an “undeclared milk allergen.”

“On November 29, 2024, during an internal review of the label, the firm discovered that they did not have milk listed in the ‘ingredients’ or ‘contains’ sections” even though milk was a component of these items,” the recall notice said.

“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.”

Two items are being recalled—hush puppies sold in 2-pound, 8-ounce packs and hush puppies with onions in 2-pound, 8-ounce and 1-pound packs. The products were sold in Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

According to the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, between 2 and 3 percent of children under the age of 3 have milk allergies. Around 80 percent are expected to outgrow this condition before their 16th birthday.

Symptoms of milk allergy include upset stomach, bloody stool, vomiting, and anaphylaxis, a bodily reaction that makes breathing difficult and can send a person into shock.

“People with a milk or dairy allergy experience symptoms because their immune system reacts as though milk and other dairy products are a dangerous invader,” the group says.

John Hopkins Medicine advises people with such allergies to stay away from food items that contain milk ingredients.