Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers: Greenhouse-grown long English cucumbers safe

The association urges retailers to help consumers understand the differences between recalled field cucumbers and greenhouse-grown cucumbers.

Greenhouse cucumbers, CEA
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Following the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s announcement of a multistate outbreak of two strains of salmonella, the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers association said in a news release that there is confusion with consumers as to which cucumbers are a part of the recall.

Following a positive test, Fresh Start Produce Sales in Delray, Fla., recalled whole-field cucumbers due to the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

“We want to assure retailers, food service and consumers that the Canadian-grown long English cucumbers are not part of the recall and are readily available for purchase and safe consumption,” the association said in a news release.

Richard Lee, executive director of the association, said there are noticeable differences between field-grown cucumbers and greenhouse-grown cucumbers.

“Ontario greenhouse cucumbers are distinctly different from field-grown cucumbers,” Lee said. “Field-grown cucumbers are shorter and wider than the long, narrow English cucumbers and have a more bitter flavor. English cucumbers are sweeter and contain very few seeds.”

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