Florida grower linked to recent salmonella outbreak also responsible for contaminated cucumbers in the previous year

The U.S. authorities are currently looking into a new outbreak of salmonella infections related to a Florida grower. This same grower was previously associated with over 550 illnesses caused by tainted cucumbers last year.

Cucumbers cultivated by Bedner Growers, a Florida-based company, and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales have been linked to sickness in at least 26 individuals across 15 states. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced this latest development on Monday. Out of those affected, nine people have required hospitalization, although no fatalities have been recorded.

These contaminated cucumbers were sold to various establishments such as restaurants, stores, and food service distributors between April 29 and May 19. Some of these products could still be on shelves this week, as they have not yet exceeded their shelf life. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that cases of illness were identified between April 2 and April 28.

The FDA says the outbreak includes 15 states including New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois and North Carolina.

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. In that outbreak, investigators found salmonella bacteria linked to many of the illnesses in untreated canal water used at farms operated by Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company.

In the current outbreak, officials found salmonella bacteria from samples on the farm that matched samples from people who got sick.

Health officials are investigating where the potentially contaminated cucumbers were distributed. Several people who fell ill ate cucumbers on cruise ships leaving ports in Florida, according to the CDC. Organic cucumbers are not affected, officials said.

Retailers should notify consumers who may have bought the tainted produce. If consumers don’t know the source of cucumbers, they should throw them away, officials said.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick recover within a week. Infections can be severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.