A salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers has left more than 160 people sickened across the country, including at least three individuals in New Jersey, according to health officials.

As of June 5, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it received reports of 162 cases in 25 states and Washington, D.C. Fifty-four cases required hospitalization and no deaths were reported, the CDC said.

Last week, Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. issued a recall of its whole cucumbers due to possible contamination.

The produce shipped in bulk cartons from May 17-21 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
• West Virginia

The affected produce has diameters of about 1.5 inches to 2 inches and are 5 inches to 9 inches long. It does not include mini or English cucumbers, according to Fresh Start.

Total recall

The recall was initiated after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture alerted Fresh Start that one of its products tested positive for salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as the CDC are conducting further tests on a wider sample of cucumbers to see if the same strain of salmonella is causing the wider outbreak.

The CDC noted that some sellers who received contaminated cucumbers from Fresh Start may have shipped the product to additional states or re-packaged them for stores.

In its recall notice, Fresh Start said, “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. Consumers should check with their retailer or place of purchase to determine whether the recalled cucumbers were sold where they shop.”

Consumers with additional questions can contact Fresh Start at 1-888-364-2993, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to the CDC, salmonella can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Young children and immunocompromised people may experience more serious illness, which can lead to death.