UF/IFAS Food Safety Expert Encourages Caution but Calm in Wake of Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak
May 23, 2025 | 2 min to read
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a salmonella outbreak connected to Bedner Growers, Inc. in South Florida, with reports of 26 illnesses across 15 states and nine hospitalizations. The FDA advises consumers to dispose of cucumbers purchased between April 29 and May 19 and to sanitize affected surfaces. Food safety expert Keith Schneider emphasizes the importance of selecting undamaged produce and proper storage to reduce health risks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an investigation this week of a salmonella outbreak linked to a South Florida cucumber grower. As of Wednesday, when the latest FDA update was issued, the investigation included 26 illnesses in 15 states. Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, but life-threatening complications can also occur, and nine people have been hospitalized.
The FDA is encouraging consumers, retailers and distributors to dispose of any cucumbers sourced from Bedner Growers, Inc., in Boynton Beach between April 29 and May 19. They should clean and sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with the cucumbers.
UF/IFAS professor of food safety Keith Schneider studies foodborne illness associated with raw produce consumption. Although he’s not involved with the FDA investigation, he shared some insight based on his research.
Consumers can increase their odds of staying healthy by buying undamaged fruits and vegetables, storing them within a refrigerator if they’re meant to be chilled and periodically cleaning produce drawers, Schneider said.
To learn more, please read the attached press release. To schedule an interview, please contact me or Megan Winslow at winslow@ufl.edu.