FDA still investigating multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released this update May 30, 2025:

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections linked to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., BB #:263391 in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., BB #:155975 of Delray, Florida.

As part of this investigation, FDA collected a product sample of Bedner Growers, Inc., cucumbers from a distribution center in Pennsylvania. Salmonella was detected in the sample of cucumbers. Whole Genome Sequencing analysis determined that the product sample contained Salmonella Montevideo, which match the strain of Salmonella linked to illnesses in this outbreak. 

Other types of Salmonella were detected in the cucumber sample collected, originating from Bedner Growers, Inc. In addition to Salmonella Montevideo, multiple other strains of Salmonella, unrelated to this outbreak investigation, matched other isolates in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) database that occurred in 2025 and previous years. CDC is working to determine if additional human illnesses match these additional strains. Further analysis of the sample is pending.

An additional recall is being conducted by Target for products that used recalled cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc.

Product:

Cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors from April 29, 2025, to May 19, 2025. Cucumbers distributed before this timeframe should be past shelf life and should no longer be available on the market.

Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best by date.  For distributors, restaurants, and retailers who have purchased these cucumbers, the products were labeled as either being “supers,” “selects,” or “plains”.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection:

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating food that is contaminated with Salmonella, and the symptoms usually last four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Stores Affected

Some potentially contaminated cucumbers were available at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market in three Florida locations including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The recalled cucumbers were also sold to its wholesale distributor. FDA is aware that contaminated product is available at both restaurant and retail locations. FDA is working to determine where potentially contaminated product was distributed.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 45
Hospitalizations: 16
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: May 10, 2025
States with Cases: AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA
Product Distribution: Nationwide

2025 Recalls of Cucumbers Associated with Bedner Growers Inc., Boynton Beach, Florida, Due to the Potential Risk of Salmonella Contamination