Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Recalled Cucumbers Sickens Dozens Across 18 States

At least 45 sickened, 16 hospitalized with recalled cucumbers linked to restaurants, retailers, and cruise ships.

Cucumbers recalled for salmonella. U.S. Food and Drug Administration via AP

A growing outbreak of salmonella infections tied to recalled cucumbers has sickened at least 45 people across 18 states, with 16 requiring hospitalization, according to federal health officials.

The contaminated cucumbers, grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., were shipped to a variety of venues—including restaurants, grocery stores, hospitals, and cruise ships—between April 29 and May 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reports that cases have emerged in 18 states, with illnesses linked not only to retail and food service locations but also to six different cruise ships departing from U.S. ports during late March through mid-April.

The true number of affected individuals may be higher, as not all cases are reported or confirmed, and the outbreak could potentially expand to additional states.

The recalled cucumbers were sold both individually and in smaller packages, sometimes labeled as “supers,” “selects,” or “plains,” but none were organic varieties.

Target has issued a recall for dozens of products, including whole cucumbers, salads, and vegetable rolls that may have contained the cucumbers. Additional recalls have been announced for foods such as cucumber salads and made-to-order subs that used the contaminated cucumbers.

Distribution, Recall Efforts

The cucumbers in question were distributed widely, reaching stores, restaurants, and other facilities nationwide, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Efforts are underway to trace the full distribution network of the potentially tainted cucumbers.

Maryland-based The Coastal Companies recalled 17 cucumber-containing products, including salsas and salads, distributed to several East Coast states between May 6 and May 21, according to a company announcement published May 27 by the FDA.

Supreme Service Solutions LLC also recalled 16 cucumber products, such as salads and vegetable trays, sold to Kroger and affiliated stores in several Midwestern and Southern states, the FDA announced on May 28. Walmart issued a recall for “Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices” in select Texas stores, the FDA said in a May 23 notice.

Investigation and Source of Contamination

The current outbreak was identified during a follow-up inspection related to a 2024 salmonella outbreak that affected 551 people and resulted in 155 hospitalizations across 34 states and Washington, D.C.

During that previous investigation, salmonella was linked to untreated canal water used at farms operated by Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company.

In the ongoing investigation, FDA officials found salmonella in a sample of Bedner Growers cucumbers at a Pennsylvania distribution center. This sample matched the strain responsible for the current illnesses, and additional salmonella strains detected in the cucumbers are being compared to samples in a government database to determine if they are linked to other cases, according to the CDC.

Health Risks, Symptoms

Salmonella infection can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, severe vomiting, and dehydration. Most people recover within a week without treatment, but infections can be severe, particularly for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization. In rare cases, salmonella can enter the bloodstream and lead to more serious complications such as arterial infections, endocarditis, and arthritis, according to the FDA.

The CDC advises anyone experiencing severe symptoms—such as diarrhea with a fever above 102°F, prolonged diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, excessive vomiting, or signs of dehydration—to contact a health care provider.

Advice for Consumers, Businesses

Consumers who have cucumbers at home and cannot determine where they are from are urged to throw them away. Surfaces and items that may have come into contact with the recalled cucumbers should be thoroughly washed and sanitized.

Businesses are instructed not to sell or serve whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. between April 29 and May 19, and to notify customers who may have purchased the affected products.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News