At least 45 people across 18 states have fallen ill in a growing Salmonella Montevideo outbreak linked to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., a Florida-based company, federal health officials reported as of early June 2025. The cucumbers, distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. of Delray, Florida, were sold to retailers, restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships, and food service distributors nationwide between April 29 and May 19, 2025.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), working alongside state and local partners, have been investigating this multistate outbreak that has led to 16 hospitalizations but, fortunately, no deaths so far. The affected individuals range widely in age—from toddlers as young as two to seniors aged 84—underscoring the broad reach of the contamination.
Investigators traced the outbreak to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers in Boynton Beach, Florida. As part of their probe, FDA officials collected a sample from a distribution center in Pennsylvania. Laboratory testing detected Salmonella, including the Montevideo strain matching the outbreak, confirming the source of the infections. Intriguingly, the sample also contained multiple other strains of Salmonella unrelated to this outbreak, which are currently under further analysis to assess if they correlate with additional illnesses.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC stated. This caution reflects the reality that many individuals recover without seeking medical care or testing, and there is often a delay of several weeks before new cases are identified and linked to an outbreak.
Adding complexity, eight of the infected individuals reported having taken cruises within the week before falling ill, all departing from Florida ports. These passengers were aboard six different cruise ships that left U.S. shores between March 30 and April 12, 2025, with three of them sharing the same vessel. This detail highlights how the contaminated cucumbers reached diverse settings beyond grocery stores, including cruise ships and hospitals, amplifying the potential exposure.
The cucumbers involved were sold in various forms, either individually or in smaller packages, sometimes without consistent labeling. Retailers, restaurants, and distributors received them labeled as “supers,” “selects,” or “plains.” Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market in Florida—operating locations in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach—sold potentially contaminated cucumbers between April 29 and May 14. From there, the cucumbers entered a wide distribution network, complicating containment efforts.
In response, Target stores initiated a significant recall encompassing products containing the recalled cucumbers, such as salads, vegetable rolls, and sandwiches. Other companies followed suit, pulling whole cucumbers and cucumber-containing foods from shelves and menus. This proactive approach aims to prevent further illnesses as the investigation continues.
This outbreak is not an isolated incident for Bedner Growers. It was uncovered during a follow-up to a major 2024 Salmonella outbreak that sickened 551 people and hospitalized 155 across 34 states and Washington, D.C. That earlier outbreak was traced back to untreated canal water used at farms operated by Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company. The recurrence raises concerns about persistent contamination risks and the effectiveness of preventive measures at these farms.
Salmonella infections typically manifest within 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food and last four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and dehydration. While most healthy individuals recover without complications, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Health officials urge consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled products and discard any cucumbers or foods that may contain the contaminated produce. The FDA continues to work with distributors, retailers, and restaurants to identify and remove potentially contaminated cucumbers from the market. Investigations into additional Salmonella strains found in the cucumber samples are ongoing, with the CDC examining whether these pose further health risks.
As of May 30, 2025, the outbreak had resulted in 45 confirmed illnesses spanning Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The nationwide distribution of the cucumbers underscores the challenge of tracking and controlling foodborne outbreaks in a highly interconnected food supply chain.
Federal health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing that the number of reported cases likely underrepresents the true scope of the outbreak. They remind the public that Salmonella can cause severe symptoms in vulnerable populations and encourage anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with Salmonella infection to seek medical attention promptly.
Ultimately, this outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing risks posed by contaminated produce and the critical importance of rigorous food safety standards and monitoring. As investigations proceed, authorities are determined to prevent further illnesses and ensure the safety of the food supply.
