In the news

ruth

Core update May 21, 2025

The CORE update list of outbreaks and adverse events includes eight postings. In the outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo (ref #1304), the FDA reported that Bedner Growers, Inc. voluntarily recalled cucumbers sold at Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. The recalled cucumbers were available at three Florida locations, including Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach, between April 29, 2025, and May 14, 2025. 26 people got sick, and 9 were hospitalized. The outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref #1300) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 78 to 103 cases. The outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis (ref #1301) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 29 to 30 cases. The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1286) linked to a not identified product, the outbreak has ended, and the FDA’s investigation is closed. The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1281) linked to frozen supplemental shakes was updated. As of May 16, 2025, a total of 42 people from 21 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. Of the 42 people with information available, 41 have been hospitalized, and 14 deaths have been reported. The outbreak has ended, and the FDA’s investigation is closed. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigations-foodborne-illness-outbreaks?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

 

The following is a list of outbreak and adverse event investigations primarily being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams.

ruth

Bourgeois Smokehouse recalls RTE Smoked Andouille Sausage due to Listeria contamination

The USDA/FSIS reported that Bourgeois Smokehouse (Thibodaux, Louisiana) recalled approximately 100 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked andouille sausage products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The recall was initiated after routine testing by the USDA / FSIS detected the Listeria contamination. The recalled products were produced on May 12, 2025, and were available for purchase at Rouses Market stores in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi starting May 13, 2025. The products were weighed, wrapped, and labeled in-store at the time of purchase, so they do not have an establishment number or the USDA mark of inspection. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. However, the FSIS has issued a Class I recall, indicating a reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death. @ 

ruth

Multistate outbreak of Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infections linked to Charcuterie-Style meats in the United States, 2023–2024

The CDC published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), May 15, 2025, MMWR Weekly 74(17);293–295 on Multistate outbreak of Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infection linked to Charcuterie meats in the US 2023-2024. During December 2023–March 2024, CDC and public health partners in 33 states investigated an outbreak of Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infection linked to contaminated charcuterie-style meats. Early usage of purchase records identified a common charcuterie product from one company and enabled a swift recall. On December 19, 2023, CDC’s PulseNet identified a cluster of 13 Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infections in five states that were found to be highly related by WGS, indicating a possible outbreak. Among 68 patients from 27 affected states, 50 (74%) reported consuming charcuterie-style meats before illness onset. The report describes the largest US infectious outbreak associated with charcuterie-style meats since 2010. Consumer purchase records were successfully used for hypothesis generation in this outbreak investigation and provided a critical foundation for traceback activities. Coupled with patient interview information, the use of purchase records enabled rapid identification and recall of contaminated products 17 days after the investigation began.  

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7417a2.htm?s_cid=mm7417a2_w

 

 

Notes from the Field: Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella ...

This report describes a multistate outbreak of Salmonella enterica I 4:I:- infection linked to contaminated charcuterie-style meats.

ruth

FDA outbreak investigation of Salmonella in cucumbers (May 2025)

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo infections linked to cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. (Boynton Beach, Florida), and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. (Delray, Florida). In April 2025, FDA investigators collected an environmental sample from Bedner Growers, Inc. that was positive for Salmonella and matched recent clinical samples from ill people, by WGS analysis.  The recent follow-up inspection was in response to the 2024 Salmonella Africana linked to cucumbers grown at Bedner Growers, Inc. Additionally, FDA’s traceback investigation has identified Bedner Growers, Inc. as the common grower of cucumbers in this current outbreak. As of May 16, 2025, a total of 26 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo have been reported from 15 states (AL, CA, CO, FL, IL, KS, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, and VA). Of the 23 people for whom information is available, 9 people have been hospitalized. Of the 13 people interviewed, 11 (85%) reported eating cucumbers. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-salmonella-cucumbers-may-2025

 

 

Do not eat, sell, or serve cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc.
FDA’s investigation is ongoing.