
A multistate recall of cucumbers has been issued after a Salmonella Montevideo outbreak sickened at least 26 people across 15 US states, with nine hospitalizations reported.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed Monday that the contaminated cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. in Florida and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc.
The affected cucumbers were shipped to restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers between April 29 and May 19.
The products may have been sold individually or in small packages, with or without labels, making them difficult for consumers to identify, NBC News said.
"Cucumbers may have been labeled as 'supers,' 'selects,' or 'plains,'" the FDA said in its advisory.
The outbreak has reached 15 states so far, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Of the 13 people interviewed by health officials, 11 reported eating cucumbers before falling ill.
Salmonella Outbreak: 26 people were sick in 15 states with 9 hospitalizations. Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages. The types could be labeled as “supers,” “selects,” or “plains.”
— FoodSafety.gov (@foodsafetygov) May 20, 2025
See the notice for full details: https://t.co/O0g9V5GhVJ pic.twitter.com/zG16WOev4j
Cucumbers From Florida Farm Recalled After Salmonella Found
During a recent inspection at Bedner Growers, the FDA collected environmental samples that tested positive for Salmonella Montevideo.
These samples matched those from people who got sick, linking the outbreak directly to the farm. The inspection was a follow-up to another salmonella incident in 2024 involving the same grower.
According to Today, Salmonella can cause symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting, typically starting 6 to 72 hours after infection.
While many recover in under a week, severe cases can require hospitalization. Children under 5, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
A spokesperson for Fresh Start Produce Sales said, "Fresh Start is committed to public health and is helping Bedner Growers with the recall," adding that the company has provided the FDA with its customer list and notified all distribution partners.
The FDA urges consumers who suspect they may have purchased contaminated cucumbers to throw them away and clean any surfaces or containers they touched. If unsure of the cucumber's origin, it's safest to discard the product.
The CDC and FDA are continuing to investigate the outbreak in cooperation with state and local health officials. Anyone experiencing symptoms after eating cucumbers should contact a healthcare provider immediately.
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