Outbreak Background – May 30, 2025 Update
Federal health officials, working with state and local authorities, are actively investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak connected to whole cucumbers.
Combined epidemiological evidence, laboratory testing, and supply chain tracking have established a potential link between the Bedner Growers cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. and Salmonella infections affecting multiple individuals. The investigation suggests these particular cucumbers may harbor Salmonella bacteria and could be responsible for ongoing illnesses.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has asked businesses to not sell or serve any whole cucumbers that were grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Inc. between April 29, 2025 and May 19, 2025.
Case Count – May 30, 2025 Update
- Cases – 45 (up from 26 previously reported)
- Hospitalizations – 16 (up from 9 previously reported)
- States – 18 (up from 15 previously reported)
- Deaths – 0
Product Details – May 30, 2025 Update
The produce should no longer be available for sale.
The implicated cucumbers were grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and supplied through Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. during a three-week distribution period from April 29 through May 19, 2025. These conventional (non-organic) cucumbers reached various retail outlets, food service establishments, and other commercial facilities.
According to one salmonella cucumber lawyer: “Consumers encountered these cucumbers in multiple settings, including cruise ships departing from Florida ports.”
The cucumbers were sold through different retail channels, appearing either as individual items or in smaller packaged quantities. Product labeling may identify these varieties as “supers,” “selects,” or “plains,” depending on their size classification.
Timeline – May 30, 2025 Update
The first case was traced back to April 2, 2025. The most recent infection was traced back to May 10, 2025.
Location of Affected Individuals – May 30, 2025 Update
- Alabama, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts,Tennessee, Michigan, South Carolina – 1 to 2 sick people each state
- North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, Ohio – 3 to 4 sick people each state
- Florida, Georgia – 6 to 7 people sick each state
Demographics – May 30, 2025 Update
| Demographics | Information |
| Age (information from 45 people) | Range from 2 to 84 years oldMedian age of 50 years old |
| Sex (information from 45 people) | 76% female24% male |
| Race (information from 40 people) | 80% White20% African American/Black |
| Ethnicity (information from 39 people) | 90% non-Hispanic10% Hispanic |
State and local authorities are actively interviewing those infected about the foods they ate prior to becoming ill.
Twenty-four of the 27 interviewed to date reported eating cucumbers.
So far, eight people on cruise ships said they ate cucumbers on their cruise. Three of those people were on the same ship.
Laboratory and Traceback Findings – May 30, 2025 Update
Health officials are utilizing the PulseNet surveillance system to identify cases potentially connected to this outbreak. The CDC operates PulseNet as a nationwide database containing genetic profiles of bacteria responsible for foodborne diseases. Scientists analyze bacterial samples using whole genome sequencing (WGS) to create detailed DNA profiles.
Genetic analysis revealed that bacterial samples from those infected share close genetic similarities, indicating exposure to a common contamination source. Those affected reported purchasing and consuming cucumbers from various establishments, including supermarkets, restaurants, medical facilities, and cruise vessels.
The FDA’s supply chain investigation traced the common source to Bedner Growers Inc. as the producer of cucumbers associated with this outbreak. In April 2025, FDA inspectors conducted an examination of Bedner Farms Inc. facilities as part of follow-up activities related to a previous contamination incident. Environmental samples collected during this inspection yielded positive results for the same Salmonella strain causing the current outbreak.
Additional Salmonella strains were also found from the collected sample at Bedner Growers, Inc. but are unrelated to this particular investigation. The CDC said it was investigating whether any other illnesses matched these other strains.
Laboratory analysis of genetic material from 41 patient samples showed no predicted resistance to standard antibiotics. One individual’s sample indicated potential resistance to trimethoprim. Additional information regarding antimicrobial resistance patterns is accessible through the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.
Most individuals affected by Salmonella infections recover without requiring antibiotic treatment. When antimicrobial therapy becomes necessary, the identified resistance pattern is unlikely to influence treatment decisions for the majority of patients.
Consumer and Commercial Action – May 30, 2025 Update
The CDC has asked any business with the implicated cucumbers to not sell or serve them.
Consumers in possession of the cucumbers, or any cucumbers whose origin can’t be identified, are strongly advised to discard them immediately.
Health Risks
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six days after exposure to the bacteria. While most people recover without specific treatment, the infection can be severe, especially for young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
