#United States #Marler Clark #Salmonella Outbreak #Bedner Farms #Bainbridge Island, Washington

Federal Lawsuit Targets Bedner Farms Over Salmonella Issues

In a significant development for food safety, Marler Clark, known as the Food Safety Law Firm, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Brandi Jackson in the Southern District of Mississippi against Bedner Farm, Inc. This lawsuit marks a serious escalation in ongoing concerns related to foodborne illnesses, particularly Salmonella outbreaks linked to this specific grower.

According to reports, Jackson purchased cucumbers from her local Kroger grocery store in Pearl, Mississippi on May 13, 2025. Shortly afterwards, she began experiencing severe symptoms, including fever, chills, abdominal pain, and vomiting. These escalating conditions culminated in her hospitalization for nearly a week, where she was diagnosed with a bloodborne Salmonella infection. Upon her release, she was fitted with an IV catheter to continue receiving antibiotics, illustrating the serious nature of her illness.

Experts, including attorney William Marler, have voiced their concerns regarding Bedner Farms, noting that this is now the second Salmonella outbreak associated with the grower in just two years. Marler expressed that it is quite rare in his 32 years of food safety litigation to see a company have a repeated issue like this, indicating persistent failures in food safety practices at Bedner Farms.

Outbreak Investigations Uncover Alarming Trends

The FDA traced the current outbreak back to Bedner Growers Inc., discovering they were the common supplier of cucumbers implicated in both this outbreak and a previous one in 2024, which caused a staggering 551 infections across 34 states. Symptoms linked to the 2025 outbreak began surfacing as late as May 10, 2025, with 45 confirmed cases noted across 18 states, further highlighting the widespread impact of contaminated produce. States affected include significant areas such as Florida, Georgia, and Illinois, where multiple residents reported symptoms after consuming cucumbers sourced from various venues, including grocery stores and restaurants.

In an unsettling twist, eight of the infected individuals had taken cruises shortly before falling ill, raising concerns about the impacts of contaminated food served in hospitality settings. The CDC reported no deaths but confirmed that 16 of those infected required hospitalization.

Heightened Regulatory Scrutiny and Consumer Safety Advice

Following the alarming findings from the recent FDA investigations, which revealed traces of the outbreak strain of Salmonella in environmental samples taken from Bedner Farms, the CDC has issued a strong warning against the consumption of whole cucumbers produced by Bedner Growers Inc. during a specified period in April and May 2025. The recommendation is clear: if consumers possess any cucumbers without proper labeling or identification, they should dispose of them immediately to avoid potential health risks.

The 2024 outbreak had already raised major concerns within the food safety community, as investigators detected multiple strains of Salmonella in afflicted individuals, highlighting the need for stringent measures to address foodborne illnesses. With outbreaks attributed to cucumbers, cantaloupes, and other foods, public awareness regarding safe food practices is crucial.

Marler Clark’s Role in Pursuing Justice

As the nation's leading law firm in foodborne illness litigation, Marler Clark has represented thousands of victims across various high-profile cases, recovering significant settlements for clients affected by food-related illnesses. Their extensive experience in these matters underscores the severity with which they approach the crisis of food safety and public health. They have successfully litigated against prominent brands and companies related to various foodborne illness outbreaks. If you or someone you know has suffered from a Salmonella infection, contacting Marler Clark for a case evaluation may be an important step towards seeking justice and accountability.

This lawsuit against Bedner Farms not only seeks redress for the personal suffering endured by Ms. Jackson but also signals ongoing efforts to improve accountability within the agricultural sector regarding food safety standards. The hope is that through legal actions like this, consumer protections will improve, preventing future outbreaks and ensuring safer food supply chains.