Cucumber Recall Expands as Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Dozens Across 15 States

In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a nationwide recall of whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. in Florida and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. The recall was initiated after a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections sickened 26 individuals across 15 states, including California, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. Nine people have been hospitalized, though no fatalities have been reported.    

The affected cucumbers were distributed between April 29 and May 19, 2025, to various retailers, restaurants, and cruise ships. Notably, several illnesses were reported among passengers on cruise ships departing from Florida, highlighting the widespread distribution of the contaminated produce.   

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Consumers are advised to discard any cucumbers purchased during this period, especially if the source is uncertain. The cucumbers may have been sold individually or in packages and might not bear labels, making identification challenging. Retailers and food service establishments are urged to remove the affected products from their inventories and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with them.    

Symptoms of Salmonella infection typically appear within 6 hours to 6 days after consumption and include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. While most individuals recover without treatment, vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.   

This outbreak follows a previous incident in 2024 linked to the same grower, which resulted in 551 illnesses across 34 states. Investigations revealed that untreated canal water used on the farms was a likely source of contamination.  

For more information and updates on the recall, consumers can visit the FDA’s official recall page.