You may have tainted cucumbers in your fridge. Here's what to check for

If you've recently purchased cucumbers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it may be wise to just throw them out, as those states are among several listed in a cucumber recall.

Here's everything you need to know.

Cucumbers processed by Fresh Start Produce Sales recalled for possible salmonella contamination

The United States Food and Drug Administration released an alert warning of the possible salmonella contamination, with states in the Delaware Valley receiving possibly contaminated cucumbers.

According to the alert, possibly contaminated cucumbers were shipped in bulk cartons from Friday, May 17 through Tuesday, May 21, to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The cucumbers were processed by Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc.

"Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, is recalling whole cucumbers shipped to certain states due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," read the administration's recall alert. "Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. 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."

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Which types of cucumbers might be contaminated?

According to the food and drug administration, recalled cucumbers are dark green, approximately 1.5 - 2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers are not included in this recall.

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How did the recall come about, and what should I do if I think I have contaminated cucumbers?

According to the administration, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture informed Fresh Start Produce Sales that a product sample tested positive for the bacteria.

The administration said contamination rare at this point, but urged several precautions.

"Although these cucumbers are unlikely in the marketplace, anyone with the recalled product should not consume it and should destroy and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund," read the administration's alert. "Consumers should check with their retailer or place of purchase to determine whether the recalled cucumbers were sold where they shop.

"Fresh Start Produce Sales has notified customers who received the recalled product directly from the company and requested that they remove it from commerce," continued the alert. "We have also asked our direct customers to notify their customers of this recall."

Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania, NJ among states listed in multi-state cucumber recall