New salmonella outbreak tied to same Florida grower with tainted
cucumbers last year
[May 21, 2025]
By JONEL ALECCIA
U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella
illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked
to more than 550 illnesses last year.
Cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh
Start Produce Sales have been linked to illnesses in at least 26 people
in 15 states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported late
Monday. At least nine people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been
reported.
The cucumbers were sold to restaurants, stores and food service
distributors between April 29 and May 19 and may still be within their
shelf life this week. Illnesses were reported between April 2 and April
28, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak was detected as part of a follow-up inspection in April to
a 2024 outbreak that sickened 551 people and led to 155 hospitalizations
in 34 states and Washington, D.C. In that outbreak, investigators found
salmonella bacteria linked to many of the illnesses in untreated canal
water used at farms operated by Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce
Company.
In the current outbreak, officials found salmonella bacteria from
samples on the farm that matched samples from people who got sick.
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This undated photo provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
shows cucumbers recalled for salmonella. (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration via AP)
 Health officials are investigating
where the potentially contaminated cucumbers were distributed.
Several people who fell ill ate cucumbers on cruise ships leaving
ports in Florida, according to the CDC. Organic cucumbers are not
affected, officials said.
Retailers should notify consumers who may have bought the tainted
produce. If consumers don't know the source of cucumbers, they
should throw them away, officials said.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe
vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick
recover within a week. Infections can be severe in young children,
older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may
require hospitalization.
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