Is there any risk of illness from eating fresh cherries?

Depending on how they are grown, harvested and processed, fresh cherries may harbor pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella. One of the chief culprits is the human hand, which can spread contamination from one cherry to others. Cross-contamination also can result from poor handling during processing and distribution. Water is another conduit of pathogenic bacteria. Freezing does not kill the bacteria and viruses associated with cherries.
 
Cherries also are subject to spoilage bacteria (the kind of bacteria that won’t make you sick but might ruin the taste and/or odor of the product). Spoilage bacteria can grow rapidly as a result of improper storage or proper storage over an extended period of time. Add in moisture, and cherries can also grow mold that can cause illness.
 
Fortunately, proper storage and thorough cleaning of fresh cherries eliminates most risk of illness.
 
Source(s):
FDA "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables"