Rhode Island Health Officials Announce Cucumber Recall Amid Salmonella Outbreak

News Summary

The Rhode Island Department of Health has issued a recall of cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc. linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak affecting nearly 450 people. Although no cases have been reported in Rhode Island, officials urge residents to discard suspect cucumbers. The outbreak has hospitalized 125 individuals, prompting investigations by CDC and FDA into potential contamination sources. Consumers are advised to monitor symptoms and maintain food safety precautions.

Providence, Rhode Island – The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has announced a recall of cucumbers linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak. This action comes after nearly 450 reported infections across 31 states and the District of Columbia, prompting swift intervention from health officials.

Bedner Growers Inc., the producer of the recalled cucumbers, initiated the recall on May 19 after evidence pointed to potential contamination. The affected cucumbers were sold between April 29 and May 14 and were distributed either individually or in smaller packages that may not have displayed consistent branding. They were labeled as “supers,” “selects,” or “plains.”

Despite the widespread outbreak, there have been no reported Salmonella cases in Rhode Island directly linked to this recall. However, RIDOH is urging residents to discard any cucumbers that cannot be traced back to Bedner Growers. Those experiencing symptoms of a Salmonella infection—such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps—are advised to seek consultation with a healthcare provider.

The outbreak has led to the hospitalization of 125 individuals, though fortunately, no deaths have been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently conducting an investigation into the outbreak, which was initially treated as two separate incidents but later combined based on demographic and food information similarities.

As part of the investigation, Salmonella Braenderup was detected in canal water samples collected from Thomas Produce Company in Boca Raton, Florida. Furthermore, various strains of Salmonella were found in soil and water samples from Bedner Growers, indicating a complex contamination scenario. Cucumbers were also distributed through Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., which issued a voluntary recall of their own.

The CDC has reported that approximately 52 Salmonella infections related to this outbreak originated in Florida. Similar concerns have arisen from Bedner Growers in previous years, suggesting possible ongoing issues with contamination. With the cucumber growing season now over for the involved farms, no immediate risk to the public has been identified.

It is important to note that Salmonella causes an estimated 1.35 million infections, resulting in 26,500 hospitalizations and roughly 420 deaths annually in the United States. Symptoms of infection typically manifest within six hours to six days after exposure and can persist from four days to about a week. Individuals are encouraged to wash all surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated cucumbers using hot, soapy water to reduce the risk of secondary spread.

As the investigation continues, health officials remain vigilant in tracking the sources of this outbreak to prevent further cases and ensure public safety. RIDOH and appropriate federal agencies are committed to informing the public and managing food safety concerns as they develop.

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Additional Resources

• ABC6 News
• Wikipedia: Salmonella
• Providence Journal
• Google Search: Cucumber Salmonella outbreak
• USA Today
• Google Scholar: Cucumber Salmonella
• Newsweek
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Salmonella
• Palm Beach Post
• Google News: Cucumber recall