Florida

Florida cucumbers may be linked to two separate salmonella outbreaks, FDA says

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2024

Florida cucumbers may be linked to two separate salmonella outbreaks, FDA says

An outbreak of salmonella that has infected 162 people in 26 states and the District of Columbia has been potentially linked to Florida-grown cucumbers, according to a release from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and they may be connected to a different outbreak with 158 people affected.

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida voluntarily recalled cucumbers shipped in bulk cartons directly to retail distribution centers, wholesalers, and food service distributors in 14 states from May 17th through May 21, 2024, after the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture found that a cucumber sample tested positive for Salmonella africana. The FDA has been investigating any possible connections to the outbreak.

“Of the 65 people interviewed, 47 (72%) reported eating cucumbers,” the FDA said Wednesday. So far 54 people have been hospitalized, according to a notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eighteen of the infected people were in Florida. There have been no deaths reported.

The FDA and the CDC are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella braenderup infections, with 158 illnesses in 23 states, which the FDA said shares some similarities. “Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food vehicle,” the FDA said.

Multiple outbreaks at a time are unusual. The second outbreak of salmonella “came out of left field,” said food safety lawyer Bill Marler. “We’re not quite sure the second outbreak is linked to the first. It might have been, but until they do a little more epidemiological investigation it’s hard to know.”

Marler, who has worked on food safety cases since the Jack-in-the-Box e. coli outbreak in 1993, said the multiple strains of salmonella may also have caused delays with the investigation.

“I’m a bit surprised it took the FDA and CDC so long to figure out the link for the africana outbreak,” he said, “but it may have been… to the two outbreaks, some of the people from the other strain also ate cucumbers.

“It may have been a pretty confounding investigation,” he said.

“The public should be on alert.” Marler told USA TODAY.

The CDC is also investigating a salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry, which has sickened 109 people, including 33 who were hospitalized.

A previous salmonella outbreak this year linked to organic basil sold at Trader Joe’s affected 12 people in seven states, including Florida, leaving one person hospitalized.

The recalled cucumbers were whole, dark green, approximately 1.5 – 2.0 inches in diameter, and 5-9 inches long. Mini cucumbers and English cucumbers were not included in the recall.

“Cucumbers distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. are from a variety of growers,” the FDA said. “The grower that likely supplied potentially contaminated cucumbers is no longer growing and harvesting cucumbers for the season.”

Where were people infected with salmonella?

So far, the people infected in this salmonella outbreak are in:

Alabama: 1
Arizona: 1
Connecticut: 2
Delaware: 1
District of Columbia: 1
Florida: 18
Georgia: 8
Indiana: 1
Iowa: 3
Kentucky: 4
Maine: 1
Maryland: 2
Massachusetts: 5
Michigan: 4
Minnesota: 5
Missouri: 1
New Jersey: 3
New York: 19
North Carolina: 7
Ohio: 9
Pennsylvania: 27
Rhode Island: 4
South Carolina: 8
Tennessee: 8
Texas: 2
Virginia: 17

“This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported,” the CDC said. “This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella.”

Which stores sold the recalled cucumbers?

The FDA has not released any information on affected retailers.

“I am surprised there isn’t more data out there where the cucumbers went and what grocery stores they may have gone to, what service outlets they may have gone to,” Marler said.

“That might be because the product has a short shelf life and the FDA figured they were off the market.”

What is salmonella?

“Salmonella are bacteria that make people sick,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says on its fact page.

Salmonella can make people ill with diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps which can last from four days up to a week. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection, the CDC said. Most cases of Salmonella infections pass, but some people may need to be hospitalized.

Salmonella bacteria cause “about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year,” the CDC said. “Food is the source for most of these illnesses.”

What you should do

If you recently bought any cucumbers, check with the store where you bought them to see if they were part of the recall. Ifd so, or if you’re not sure, don’t eat them. The CDC recommends you wash any surfaces they may have touched with hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Call a doctor if you have any of these severe symptoms:

Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
Bloody diarrhea
So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
Signs of dehydration, such as:
- Not peeing much
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up

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Florida

Why Florida State leaders chose to keep Mike Norvell as head coach

Published

7 hours ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

Why Florida State leaders chose to keep Mike Norvell as head coach

Florida State has made the decision to keep Mike Norvell as head coach going into the 2026 season.

Since releasing a statement which promised a “comprehensive assessment’ at the end of the year, the Seminoles have gone 2-2, with both of those losses coming by double-digits on the road.

READ MORE: Mike Norvell returning as FSU football’s head coach in 2026

Florida State University President Richard McCullough poses for a portrait in front of Westcott Fountain Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022.
Fsu President Mccullough001 / Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK

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How to watch Tennessee vs. Florida FREE live stream today

Published

1 day ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

How to watch Tennessee vs. Florida FREE live stream today

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

GAINESVILLE, FL – The No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers head to Florida to take on the Gators in a primetime SEC matchup today, Saturday, Nov. 22. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

If you’ve cut ties with your cable provider, there are still ways you can tune in. Several streaming services will broadcast the game live and you can watch on Fubo (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial), Sling (promotional offers as low as $4.99) and the ESPN streaming app.

The SEC is packed with teams that are filled with dogs that look to do nothing but win. Tennessee has been part of that club this season; among the teams in the AP Top 25, they hold the lowest rank in the conference at No. 20.

On the other side of the field is a Florida squad with a losing record, but they get to play the role of spoiler.

A look at Tennessee

The Volunteers offense has been on fire this season. The squad ranks second in points per game (43.4), second in total yards per game (495.0), and third in passing yards per game (318.3).

They score at a rate that makes the rest of their conference look silly, as far as how they prepare to get the ball into the endzone.

It was further shown in their recent 42-9 blowout win over New Mexico State. In a game where they were bouncing off the loss to Oklahoma, the defense was sturdy and held the Aggies run game to 27 yards on the day, while quarterback Joey Aguilar completed 73.9% of his passes for 204 yards, one score and two interceptions.

Now they get to prepare for a Florida squad who’s earned all three of their wins on home turf.

Within the rivalry, the last time they won consecutive games was the 2003 and 2004 season.

Tennessee players to watch

Joey Aguilar

One of the best quarterbacks in college football, Aguilar ranks eighth in passing yards (2,941) and ties for ninth in passing touchdowns (22) within all of college football.

Continuing his play at this rate could help the Volunteers creep into the College Football Playoff.

DeSean Bishop

Bishop has been a sturdy back that’s kept the run game afloat, ranking sixth in yards (770) and fourth in touchdowns within the SEC.

Watch No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida for free on FuboTV

A look at Florida

A 3-7 record isn’t enough to make the College Football Playoff, and with only two games remaining on the schedule, Florida can say goodbye to meeting the six-win requirement to make a bowl game.

However, the Gators can spoil the seasons of their peers, especially the Volunteers. Doing so would end a three-game skid for the Florida squad.

The Gators offense ranks 12th in passing yards (217.1) and 15th in points (20.8) within the conference. The defense ties for 12th in points allowed (23.6) and ranks 12th in rushing yards allowed (143.2) in the conference.

Florida players to watch

DJ Lagway

The sophomore quarterback could be better, with a 12 touchdowns-13 interceptions ratio to his name.

Jadan Baugh

Baugh has been solid with 808 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

Watch No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida for free on DIRECTV

Who is announcing Tennessee vs. Florida?

With this primetime matchup being broadcasted on ABC, it will be announced by Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline reporter).

What are the latest odds for Tennessee vs. Florida?

Note: These odds are as of Friday afternoon.

Spread: TENN (-4, -112) | FL (+4, -108)

Moneyline: TENN (-205) | FL (+170)

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Check out more information on how to watch the No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida game today on TV and streaming services:

What: No. 20 Tennessee vs. Florida college football

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | Gainesville, Fla.

Channel: ABC

Best streaming options: Fubo (free trial), DIRECTV (free trial), Sling (promotional offers as low as $4.99), ESPN streaming

About Fubo

Fubo, which offers a free trial, has three main packages: Pro costs $79.99/month; Elite is $89.99; Premier is priced at $99.99. Cancel before the free trial ends to avoid being charged. Fubo includes access to more than 185 sports, entertainment and news channels. You can record games, TV shows, movies and more.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, which also gives customers a free trial, offers four packages if you continue with the service after your trial ends: Entertainment for $69.99; Choice for $84.99; Ultimate for $109.99; and premier for $159.99. Choice offers the most channels for sports enthusiasts.

About Sling

Sling TV users can get a Day Pass for $4.99; Weekend Pass for $9.99; Week Pass for $14.99; Monthly Pass for $45.99 (and get half off your first month); and Season Pass for $199.99 for 5 months, then $45.99 per month thereafter. You can also subscribe to either the Blue package or the Orange package depending on your viewing preferences. Sling Blue allows up to three streams at a time and Sling Orange allows one stream at a time.

About ESPN

ESPN now offers an Unlimited Plan for $29.99 per month (or $299.99 for entire year) and a Select Plan for $11.99 per month (or $119.99 for entire year), which replicates its previous coverage of select games and broadcasts on ESPN Plus.

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