Salmonella Outbreaks Spark Nationwide Recalls of Cucumbers, Tomatoes

Salmonella outbreaks have sparked nationwide recalls of both tomatoes and cucumbers this past month, as tens of consumers have become sick in more than a dozen states. 

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall of cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. The FDA said that some of the cucumbers were available at three locations in Florida and were sold to a wholesale distributor who works with restaurant and retail locations. 

"Cucumbers may have been sold individually or in smaller packages, with or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name, or best by date," the FDA said.

So far, 26 people in 15 states have become sick, and 9 have been hospitalized. The FDA has advised consumers to discard cucumbers if they are unsure if they were produced by Bedner Growers. 

The states in which illnesses have been reported include Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Bedner Growers said in a statement that it launched the recall “in an abundance of caution, and out of deep respect for the public health.” 

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, with symptoms usually beginning 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. The elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and children under the age of 5 are at the highest risk of developing severe symptoms. 

Earlier this month, the FDA announced that it is raising the warning level for two tomato recalls launched earlier in May. The recalls were called out of fear of potential salmonella contamination. 

The warning is classified as Class I - the most serious warning level. 

The recalls were initiated voluntarily and involve tomatoes produced by Ray & Mascari Inc. of Indianapolis and Williams Farms Repack LLC under the brand name Hanshaw & Capling Farm (or H&C Farms) in Immokalee, Florida.

No illnesses have been reported from the products in either recall.

In 2023, the FDA reported that salmonella contamination accounted for 8.6% of food safety recalls. 

Also last week, the FDA announced that it is closing an investigation into a Listeria outbreak that left 14 people dead and dozens sickened. The outbreak was traced to supplemental shakes served in medical facilities. The frozen supplement shakes were manufactured by Lyons ReadyCare brand and the Sysco Imperial brand at the Prairie Farms Dairy facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1,600 people are infected with Listeria, and 260 people die each year in the United States.