Patient Count in Cucumber-Related Salmonella Outbreak Continues to Grow
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections linked to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., in Boynton Beach, Florida, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., of Delray, Florida.
CDC reports that, as of May 30, 45 people across 18 states have been infected. Sixteen people have been hospitalized, and there have been zero deaths. Patients range in age from 2 to 84 years old.
The patient count has grown since May 19, 2025, when CDC reported that 26 people across 15 states had been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella.
Eight sick people reported taking a cruise during the seven days prior to becoming sick, all departing from locations in Florida. Three people traveled on the same ship. Sick people were aboard six different cruise ships that departed the United States between March 30 and April 12. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 2, 2025, to May 10, 2025.
“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,” CDC reports. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
As part of this investigation, FDA collected a product sample of Bedner Growers, Inc., cucumbers from a distribution center in Pennsylvania. Salmonella was detected in the sample. Whole Genome Sequencing analysis determined that the product sample contained Salmonella Montevideo, matching the strain of Salmonella linked to illnesses in this outbreak.
CDC’s May 30 update on the Salmonella outbreak can be found here.
FDA’s May 30 update on the Salmonella outbreak can be found here.
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