Carrots, cucumbers and eggs; latest on e.coli, salmonella recalls

Recalls of carrots, cucumbers, and now eggs have New Jersey consumers worried about E. coli and salmonella.

Here’s what you need to know about the recalls and the bacteria.

Why are cucumbers recalled?

SunFed Produce this week recalled whole fresh American cucumbers sold in 26 states, including New Jersey, due to possible salmonella contamination.

The cucumbers, sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26, 2024, were packaged in bulk cardboard containers labeled “SunFed” or generic white boxes and black plastic crates marked with “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.”

If your cucumbers are part of the recall, do not eat them. Instead, throw them out immediately and then clean any surfaces and areas the cucumbers or packaging touched.

What is the carrot recall?

Grimmway Farms earlier this month recalled bagged organic whole and baby carrots, including brands like 365, Bunny Luv, Cal-Organic, and Trader Joe’s, due to potential E. coli contamination.

The carrots were sold nationwide, including in New Jersey, between Aug. 14 and Oct. 23, 2024.

If you have recalled carrots, throw them out and clean any areas they were stored or handled.

Are eggs recalled?

Milo’s Poultry Farms recently recalled all carton sizes and types of eggs under the “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market” brands due to potential salmonella contamination.

Although the recall primarily impacted the Midwest, some people may have bought eggs from out-of-state sources.

If you have eggs labeled with these brands, do not eat them. Throw them away and clean any surfaces or containers the eggs may have touched.

What is the difference between E. coli and salmonella?

While E. coli and salmonella both can cause intestinal issues, there are differences in how they harm your food, what they do to you, and how to prevent them.

E. coli is usually found in produce like leafy greens and carrots, undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk or juice, and even water. It typically spreads when food or water comes into contact with feces from infected animals or humans.

Salmonella is usually linked to raw or undercooked poultry, eggs, and meat, though it can also show up in produce. Handling infected animals or consuming food contaminated by animal feces are also common ways it spreads.

E. coli often causes severe stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. In some cases, it can lead to serious kidney problems.

Salmonella tends to cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fever.

E. coli symptoms generally take 3 to 4 days to appear, while salmonella can set in as little as six hours.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: E.coli, salmonella recalls hit eggs, carrots, cucumbers; what to know