Salmonella update: Cruise ship outbreak linked to recalled cucumbers
The Brief
At least 45 people in 18 states have been sickened in a salmonella outbreak.
The outbreak includes cruise ship passengers exposed to recalled cucumbers.
Cucumbers from Bedner Growers were recalled after testing positive for salmonella.
LOS ANGELES - Federal health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled cucumbers that has sickened at least 45 people across 18 states—including passengers on six different cruise ships. The cucumbers were distributed to grocery stores, hospitals, restaurants, and cruise lines.
At least 16 people have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak has been traced to cucumbers produced by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales. The contaminated cucumbers were sold between April 29 and May 19.
The backstory
The CDC confirmed that illnesses have been reported from people aboard six cruise ships that departed Florida ports between late March and mid-April. It's not yet clear whether the cucumbers were served onboard or consumed shortly before embarkation, but the illnesses are part of the same genetic outbreak strain.
The outbreak was discovered during a follow-up inspection tied to a 2024 salmonella outbreak that also involved Bedner Growers. That prior outbreak sickened more than 550 people.
By the numbers
The recalled cucumbers were shipped to retailers, hospitals, restaurants, and cruise lines in multiple states. Target was among the retailers affected, issuing recalls for:
Whole cucumbers
Salads
Vegetable rolls
Deli items containing cucumbers
The FDA confirmed that a cucumber sample from a Pennsylvania distribution center tested positive for the same salmonella strain found in infected patients.
Investigators also detected multiple additional salmonella strains in samples connected to the same grower.
Why you should care
Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. Most healthy people recover without treatment within a week, but serious illness can occur in:
Children under 5
Adults over 65
People with weakened immune systems
Anyone who consumed cucumbers or prepared foods with cucumbers between late April and mid-May and is experiencing symptoms is urged to contact a healthcare provider.
What's next
The CDC and FDA continue to monitor for new cases and are working to determine whether other contaminated products or additional states may be involved. Further recalls may be issued as testing expands.
Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and discard any recalled cucumbers or ready-to-eat items containing cucumbers purchased between April 29 and May 19. Surfaces and containers that touched the cucumbers should also be washed and sanitized.
The Source
This article is based on information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as of May 31, 2025. The outbreak investigation traces back to cucumbers from Bedner Growers and includes cruise ship passengers among those affected. Additional details were sourced from product recall notices and public health updates.
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