Salmonella update: Cruise ship outbreak linked to recalled cucumbers

What is salmonella infection?

People with salmonella infection often suffer diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps after getting in contact with infected animals, their feces, or their environment or eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water.

LOS ANGELES - Federal health officials are investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to recalled cucumbers that has sickened at least 45 people across 18 states—including passengers on six different cruise ships. The cucumbers were distributed to grocery stores, hospitals, restaurants, and cruise lines.

At least 16 people have been hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak has been traced to cucumbers produced by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales. The contaminated cucumbers were sold between April 29 and May 19.

How are cruise ships involved in the salmonella outbreak?

The backstory:

The CDC confirmed that illnesses have been reported from people aboard six cruise ships that departed Florida ports between late March and mid-April. It’s not yet clear whether the cucumbers were served onboard or consumed shortly before embarkation, but the illnesses are part of the same genetic outbreak strain.

The outbreak was discovered during a follow-up inspection tied to a 2024 salmonella outbreak that also involved Bedner Growers. That prior outbreak sickened more than 550 people.

Where were the cucumbers distributed?

By the numbers:

The recalled cucumbers were shipped to retailers, hospitals, restaurants, and cruise lines in multiple states. Target was among the retailers affected, issuing recalls for:

• Whole cucumbers
• Salads
• Vegetable rolls
• Deli items containing cucumbers

The FDA confirmed that a cucumber sample from a Pennsylvania distribution center tested positive for the same salmonella strain found in infected patients. 

FILE - A pile of cucumbers at a grocery store. Federal health officials say recalled cucumbers from a Florida grower are linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak that has sickened dozens, including cruise ship passengers. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Investigators also detected multiple additional salmonella strains in samples connected to the same grower.

What are the symptoms and who is at risk?

Why you should care:

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. Most healthy people recover without treatment within a week, but serious illness can occur in:

• Children under 5
• Adults over 65
• People with weakened immune systems

Anyone who consumed cucumbers or prepared foods with cucumbers between late April and mid-May and is experiencing symptoms is urged to contact a healthcare provider.

What's next:

The CDC and FDA continue to monitor for new cases and are working to determine whether other contaminated products or additional states may be involved. Further recalls may be issued as testing expands.

Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and discard any recalled cucumbers or ready-to-eat items containing cucumbers purchased between April 29 and May 19. Surfaces and containers that touched the cucumbers should also be washed and sanitized.