Thomas Produce Company Added to Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak Update

In the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update, Thomas Produce Company was added as another likely source of infections.

A multi-strain, multi-state Salmonella outbreak is now associated with multiple farms

Here’s what we know.

The Outbreak

So far there have been 449 people infected with one of the outbreaks strains of Salmonella Africana or Salmonella Braenderup across 21 states and the District of Columbia.

A significant number of people with genetically similar strains of bacteria reported consuming cucumbers in the weeks prior to becoming ill.

So far there have been 125 hospitalizations. No deaths have been reported.

Laboratory Indicates Potential Antibiotic Resistance

Over half (235 of 449 samples) of these illnesses showed predicted antibiotic resistance via laboratory tests performed on patient samples. This means that patients may be infected with Salmonella bacteria potentially resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ampicillin, azithromycin, cefoxitin, ceftiofur, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, and tetracycline.

This can be problematic.

While most people can recover from Salmonella illness on their own without medical intervention, some may need antibiotic treatment. For those with antibiotic resistant infections, treatment may be difficult.

Thomas Produce Company and Bedner Growers, Inc Associated with Salmonella Outbreak

Initially, Bedner Growers was traced back as a source of the cucumber Salmonella outbreak. However, a recent CDC update on August 14, 2024 implicates a second and possibly other growers.

Bedner Growers, Inc

Bedner Growers, Inc of Boynton Beach, Florida was the first farm implicated in this cucumber Salmonella outbreak. The outbreak strain, as well as other types of Salmonella bacteria were found in both soil and water samples at this farm.

In fact, multiple other strains, unrelated to this Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that matched clinical isolates from other illnesses found in the National Center for Biotechnology Infromations’s (NCBI) database. Some of which spanned several years previously.

Thomas Produce Company

Additional traceback information recently identified Thomas Produce Company as an additional source of this Salmonella cucumber outbreak. Thomas Produce Company supplied cucumbers to multiple points of service where outbreak patients reported eating cucumbers.

During onsite FDA inspections, the agency collected samples. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Baenderup was detected in canal water used by Thomas Produce Company. The bacteria were also found in soil samples on the property, along with other strains of bacteria not associated with outbreak patients.

The FDA continues to cross-reference these strains against other historical clinical isolates.

These Two Growers Do Not Account for All Illnesses in This Outbreak

Unfortunately, there are other clusters of Salmonella illnesses that do not match Salmonella strains at either of these two farms. There could be additional farms contributing to this Salmonella cucumber outbreak.

Cucumber Growing Season Is Over

The cucumber growing season has come to an end for both Bedner Growers, Inc and Thomas Produce Company’s farms. No product from these farms is currently on the market. There is likely no ongoing risk to the public for this growing season.

However, if the contamination source is not mitigated before the next growing season, we may see another cucumber Salmonella outbreak next year.

Other Current Outbreaks

There are three other current Salmonella outbreaks under FDA investigation with no known source. These illnesses may or may not be related to this cucumber Salmonella outbreak

An outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium that was announced on June 19, 2024 currently has 89 cases. This investigation has made it through traceback investigation and is in the sample collection and testing phase.

A Salmonella Irumu outbreak involving 32 cases was announced on July 10, 2024. This investigation has also made it through traceback investigation and is currently in the sample collection and testing phase.

The newly announced Salmonella Newport outbreak investigation announced on August 7, 2024 has three associated cases so far. The traceback investigation is still underway for this outbreak.

Salmonella Symptoms

Salmonella bacteria are responsible for the intestinal illness, salmonellosis.

Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Stomach cramps

Most people experience symptoms in as little as six hours and up to six days after exposure. In some cases, illness onset could be much longer.

Severity and length of illness often varies from person to person. Most people experience mild illness that passes quickly. Others may experience severe illness lasting weeks or even months after initial symptoms.

Most people, however, feel better within a week (four to seven days).

Higher Risk Groups

Certain groups of people have conditions or susceptibilities that make them more likely to become sick if exposed and experience more severe symptoms if infected.

Those more vulnerable to Salmonella infection include:

• Children under 5 years of age
• Infants (children under 12 months of age) that are not breast fed
• People taking certain medications such as stomach acid reducers

Those more likely to experience sever symptoms include:

• Infants
• Older adults (65 years and older)
• People with a weakened immune system

While most people do not need medical intervention and are not prescribed antibiotic treatment, those in the higher risk group are more likely to receive treatment.

Salmonella Complications

Most of the time Salmonella bacteria are limited to the intestinal tract. However, in some cases, the bacteria can breach the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. From there, bacteria may infect the urinary tract, blood, bones, joints, and even the nervous system.

Reactive arthritis, a condition affecting the collagen in the joints, eyes, and urethra, is a common complication. This type of infection causes joint pain, irritation of the eyes, and pain during urination. Reactive arthritis symptoms may last for months or even years in some people.

Irritable bowel syndrome is another common complication of Salmonella illness. In some cases, it can take quite some time before bowel habits return to normal.

Have You Become Sick in This Salmonella Outbreak from Bedner Growers, Inc., Thomas Produce Company, or Another Cucumber Farm?

If you have become sick from consuming cucumbers and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help.

You need an experienced Salmonella lawyer who has successfully represented people with cases just like yours. Call (833) 330-3663 or email us for a free, no obligation consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)