Investigation Traces Salmonella Contamination to Florida Growers, Affecting Nearly 450 People Across 31 States.

A recent investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revealed a second source of the salmonella outbreak linked to field cucumbers that has affected nearly 450 people across 31 states. The agency identified a strain of Salmonella Braenderup in untreated canal water used by Bedner Growers in Boynton Beach, Florida. Additionally, the FDA pinpointed Thomas Produce Co., based in Boca Raton, Florida, as another potential contributor to the outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that traceback investigations connected Thomas Produce Co. to multiple locations where people who became ill reported consuming cucumbers. Samples from canal water used by the company tested positive for the same strain of Salmonella Braenderup linked to the outbreak. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed that the bacteria found in the water matched the strain causing some of the reported illnesses.

The FDA assured the public that cucumbers from both growers are no longer in-season, eliminating the immediate risk of contamination. However, the agency emphasized that these two growers do not account for all the illnesses linked to the outbreak.

This investigation highlights the potential dangers of contaminated water sources in agricultural production and underscores the importance of monitoring and managing such risks to protect public health.