A multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers has now sickened at least 45 people across 18 states and hospitalized 16, according to the latest update from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illnesses, spanning from April to May, have prompted widespread recalls by major retailers including Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Harris Teeter.
The cucumbers, distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, were sold directly to consumers at Bedner's Farm Fresh Market and repackaged by multiple retailers in ready-to-eat products such as salads, sushi, and vegetable trays. The FDA said the contaminated cucumbers were distributed between April 29 and May 19.
Target joined the recall on May 30, pulling over 40 products sold between May 7 and May 21. Affected items include individual cucumbers, two-packs, and prepared foods such as Good & Gather Lemon Pepper Greek-Style Chicken Salad and several Mai brand sushi dishes, including the California Roll with White Rice.
Walmart previously issued a recall of Marketside cucumber slices, while other grocers such as Harris Teeter and Kroger removed repackaged cucumbers or products that included them. The FDA advised consumers to discard any cucumbers if they are unsure of their origin and to thoroughly clean surfaces and utensils that may have come in contact with the produce.
The affected states now include Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The CDC said eight people reported taking cruises shortly before falling ill, with cases linked to six ships that departed from Florida between March 30 and April 12.
Salmonella symptoms can appear six hours to six days after exposure and typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. While most recover without treatment, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals face increased risk of severe illness. No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak.
FDA inspectors discovered the contamination during a follow-up investigation of Bedner Growers, which was also linked to a 2023 salmonella outbreak that sickened 551 people and hospitalized 155 across 34 states. In that case, CDC investigators found untreated canal water carrying salmonella had been used by Bedner.
The FDA said that while the current outbreak centers on the salmonella montevideo strain, additional strains were detected in samples from a Pennsylvania distribution center. "CDC is working to determine if additional human illnesses match these additional strains," the agency stated. "Further analysis of the sample is pending."
A spokesperson for Fresh Start Produce Sales said last week that the company "is committed to protecting public health and helping Bedner Growers with its recall." Bedner Growers has not responded to public inquiries.
The CDC estimates that salmonella causes about 1.35 million illnesses, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually in the U.S.
