Cucumbers linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to nine hospitalizations are part of a recall as well as an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
A May 19 news release from the FDA reports that 26 people across 15 states have become ill in the outbreak of salmonella montevideo.
Potentially contaminated cucumbers may have been sold individually or in small packages "with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best by date," per the FDA.
The cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., based in Delray, Florida, to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers and food service distributors.
In April, FDA investigators collected an environmental sample from Bedner Growers, Inc. that tested positive for salmonella and matched samples from people who recently became ill. The follow-up inspection was in response to 2024 salmonella outbreaks linked to cucumbers grown at Bedner Growers, Inc.
Of the 26 individuals reported to have become sick, 13 have been interviewed. Eleven of those interviewed reported they ate cucumbers before becoming sick.
TODAY.com has reached out to Bedner Growers, Inc. for comment.
A spokesperson on behalf of Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. told TODAY.com in a statement, “Fresh Start Produce Sales is committed to protecting public health and helping Bedner Growers with its recall. After learning of the recall the company contacted its wholesale and regional distribution center customers to ask that they provide their customers with recall instructions, including notifying any consumer point-of-purchase locations. We have also provided our customer list to the FDA.”
Potentially affected cucumbers were sent to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers and food service distributors from April 29 up until the May 19 recall announcement. Read on for more on what to know.
What to do if you bought cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers
The FDA's news release advises consumers who are unsure if their cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers to throw them away.
The release also includes a notice to consumers that they may be contacted by retailers who could have been in possession of cucumbers potentially grown by Bedner Growers.
"Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received potentially contaminated products, including wholesale products, should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that it touched," the release adds.
Anyone who believes they may have developed a salmonella infection after consuming potentially contaminated cucumbers are advised to contact their health care provider.
Where is the outbreak?
The states with reported cases so far are: Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Symptoms of salmonella infection
The FDA news release notes that symptoms — including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps — usually occur within 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated goods. Symptoms typically last four to seven days.
Severe infections are more likely to be experienced by children under the age of 5, seniors, and those with weakened immune systems.
How to tell if your cucumbers were affected
Time frame: The impacted cucumbers were distributed between April 29, 2025, and May 19, 2025.
Labeling: Cucumbers being recalled could have been sold individually or in smaller packages, with or without labels that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best-by date.
For retailers: Affected products may have labels such as "supers," "selects" or "plains."
Origin: Cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc.
What's next
An investigation into the outbreak is being conducted by the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with state and local partners. The probe is ongoing and is working to find where the affected cucumbers were distributed, with more information to be provided as more comes to light.
