Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers sickens 45 people across 18 States
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A salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers has now sickened at least 45 individuals across 18 states, according to recent updates from the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of those affected, 16 people have been hospitalised, though no deaths have been reported so far. The contaminated cucumbers were sold between April 29 and May 19 through various major retailers and distributed to restaurants, hospitals, and even cruise ships.
Target and Walmart are among the retailers recalling products that may contain the contaminated cucumbers.
Target has pulled several ready-to-eat items, including Boar's Head Greek-style chicken salads and Mai brand sushi rolls. Walmart has recalled its Marketside cucumber slices. Authorities are urging customers to throw away any affected products and monitor for symptoms of salmonella, which include fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and dehydration.
Health investigators have primarily identified the outbreak strain as Salmonella Montevideo.
However, additional salmonella strains have been found in samples from a Pennsylvania distribution center associated with Bedner Growers. These other strains are still under investigation to determine whether they are connected to this outbreak or are isolated cases.
The outbreak seems to have spread to cruise ships too, with at least eight sick people having recently been on six different ships that left from Florida ports.
This points to a larger distribution network and makes the investigation more complicated. Federal officials are still tracing the supply chain and doing more testing to find out how far the contamination has spread.
This incident follows a similar outbreak in 2024 that was also traced back to Bedner Growers, which resulted in over 550 illnesses and 155 hospitalisations. That earlier case was linked to the use of untreated canal water. Given the recurrence, food safety advocates are calling for stricter regulations and oversight of agricultural water sources and produce handling practices.
Image credit: US Food and Drug Administration/AP
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