A troubling return of a salmonella outbreak linked to Bedner Growers’ cucumbers highlights ongoing concerns about food safety standards, leading to an investigation into the notorious Florida-based grower.
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U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 550 illnesses last year.
Bedner Growers, known for its past salmonella issues, is at the center of this current crisis.
This time, 26 confirmed cases have been reported across 15 states, leaving nine individuals hospitalized.
The contaminated cucumbers were distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales from April 29 to May 19, a span not long enough to prevent infections reported between April 2 and April 28.
This oversight raises severe questions on the prevention measures supposedly in place since the 2024 outbreak involving untreated canal water.
Health officials have identified a strong match between salmonella bacteria found on Bedner’s farm and samples from infected individuals.
Retailers are urged to inform consumers of potential risks associated with these tainted cucumbers.
“Cucumbers grown by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales have been linked to illnesses in at least 26 people in 15 states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported late Monday,” KSAT reports.
While no deaths have been registered, the impact on affected individuals is significant, and the medical costs associated with such outbreaks pose an undue burden.
Some cases involved passengers on cruise ships departing from Florida, increasing the risk of spreading the infection further.
Notably, organic cucumbers have been cleared from this outbreak, narrowing the focus to conventional produce.
This current outbreak follows a similar one in 2024, where 551 people were sickened, with 155 hospitalizations.
Officials stress that symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and cramps, requiring hospitalization for severe dehydration.
“The outbreak was detected as part of a follow-up inspection in April to a 2024 outbreak that sickened 551 people and led to 155 hospitalizations in 34 states and Washington, D.C,” US health officials said, cited by Reuters.
It’s imperative for the FDA and other regulatory bodies to step up their scrutiny and impose stricter compliance measures to prevent such negligence from repeating.
U.S. health officials are investigating a new outbreak of salmonella illnesses tied to a Florida grower whose tainted cucumbers were linked to more than 550 illnesses last year. https://t.co/ZRldJwjFdf
— WNCT (@wnct9) May 20, 2025
