Infections Rise in Salmonella Cucumber Outbreak

Products sold at Albertsons, Kroger, Walmart, among others

AARP

Updated June 02, 2025

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Published May 20, 2025

/ Updated June 02, 2025

cucumber slices on a wooden cutting board

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This article was created with the assistance of generative AI. It was reviewed by editors before publication.

A salmonella outbreak that has caused infections in at least 15 states has been traced to whole cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced.

As of May 30, 2025, at least 45 people have been infected with this strain of salmonella, resulting in nine hospitalizations. Of the 40 people with information available, 16 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

Eight sick people reported taking a cruise seven days before becoming ill. All departed from locations in Florida, and three people traveled on the same ship.

This is the second year in a row that cucumbers from Bedner Growers have been linked to a salmonella outbreak. The latest announcement came after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) followed up on last year’s outbreaks and found the same bacteria at the farm.

States with reported cases

Additional cases were reported in Georgia, Indiana and Massachusetts. Previously, infections were detected in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

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

The recalled cucumbers

The affected cucumbers were shipped to retailers, distribution centers, wholesalers and other food service providers such as restaurants from April 29 to May 19. Cucumbers sold before this time should be past their shelf life and should no longer be available, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

Cucumbers may have been sold:

Individually or in smaller packages
With or without a label that may not bear the same brand, product name or best-by date
Labeled as either "supers," "selects," or "plains"

Grocery Stores Affected:

Albertsons:

Recall Dates: May 20 to May 24
Products:
- Greek Authentic Salad (29307000000): ACME, Safeway, Kings Food Markets, Balducci's Food Lovers Market (CT, DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA, VA)
- Greek Salad (29248300000): Shaw’s and Star Market (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
- Greek Salad (29232900000): Shaw’s and Star Market (MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Big Y:

Recall Dates: May 20 to May 21
Products:
- Made-To-Order Small Sub, Large Sub, 30” Super Sub, Wrap, or Panini
Affected Stores: Big Y stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut

Coastal Companies salads, salsas and other products:

Recall Dates: May 6 to May 21, 2025
States Affected: DC, DE, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, VA, VT, WV
Lot codes: All
Ahold:
- Salsa HOT AHOLD: 16-ounce (UPC 688267031953)
- Salsa 1# AHOLD: 16-ounce (UPC 688267032523)
Created Fresh:
- The House Salad: 8-ounce (UPC 766375241973)
- Mini Garden Salad: 5.2-ounce (UPC 766375241607)
- Chicken Salad on Everything Fecelle: 5.76-ounce (UPC 766375261681)
- Egg Salad on Everything Fecelle: 5.76-ounce (UPC 766375261698)
- Tuna Salad on Everything Fecelle: 5.76-ounce (UPC 766375261674)
- Southwestern Breakfast Bowl: 1.25-ounce (UPC 766375253044)
East Coast Fresh:
- Fresh Mild Salsa: 16-ounce (UPC 640344010282)
- Fresh Mild Salsa: 16-ounce (UPC 640344012781)
- Salsa Retail: 16-ounce (UPC 640344069624)
Jack and Olive:
- The House Salad: 8-ounce (UPC 766375251385)
Spring and Sprout:
- The House Salad: 8-ounce (UPC 766375737018)
Tops:
- Salsa Hot Tops: 16-ounce (UPC 070784034140)
- Fresh Salsa 1-pound Cup: 16-ounce (UPC 070784033846)
Weis:
- Salsa Mild WEIS: 16-ounce (UPC 041497075959)
Wellsley Farms:
- Wellsley Farms Mild Salsa: 30-ounce (UPC 888670065808)

Food Lion:

Products:
- Marinated Cucumber Salad 16-ounce (UPC 72251524902)
- Marinated Cucumber Salad 36-ounce (UPC 72251525224)
- Marinated Cucumber Salad Bulk 5-pound (UPC 72251529354)
- Bulk Slicing Cucumbers (PLU #4062)
Affected Stores: Food Lion locations in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky

Harris Teeter:

Recall Dates: May 20 to May 21
Products:
- Cucumbers (UPC 20406200000)
- Large Vegetable Tray (UPC 7203689327)
- Small Vegetable Tray (UPC 7203689328)
Salad Bar Products:
- Mediterranean Pasta
- Crunchy Wheatberry
- Quinoa Tabouli

Isabelle’s Kitchen Inc. (Maple Avenue Foods or Kings)

Locations: Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia
Products: Kings Greek Pasta Salad, IKI Greek Pasta Salad, MAF Mediterranean Pasta Salad, MAF Crunchy Wheatberry Salad, MAF Quinoa Tabouli, Powerhouse Wheatberry Salad Kit

Kroger:

Recall Dates: May 14 to May 21
Product:
- Cucumbers (PLU #4062)
- Cucumber Bowls and Salads: Cucumber Bowl with Ranch Dip (850054894519), Cucumber Slices with Tajin (850053685699), Fruit and Veg Tray (850065403748), Cucumber Carrot Ranch Pack (850065403557), Large Vegetable Tray (850054894571), Vegetable Bowl $5 (850065403380), Vegetable Bowl $10 (860010507131), Vegetable Ranch Tray No Dip Small (850054894335), Chef Salad (850065403328), Family Cobb Salad (850054894625), Individual Garden Salad (850054894618), Individual Greek Salad (850054894649), Family Garden Salad (850054894601), Individual Cobb Salad (850054894632), Southwest Salad (850065403069), Cucumber with Ranch Snack Cup (850065403144)
- Marinated Cucumber Salad sold at Kroger stores in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

Publix:

Recall Dates: April 29 to May 14

Products:
- Cucumbers (Unwrapped): May 14 to May 20
- Cucumbers with Tajin: May 17 to May 23
- Watermelon Onion Feta: May 17 to May 23
- Watermelon Feta Berry: May 17 to May 23
- Spinach Salad: May 17 to May 23
- Spinach Salad Large: May 17 to May 23
- Garden Salad: May 17 to May 23
- Garden Salad Large: May 17 to May 23

Target

A variety of fresh food items sold at Target between May 7–21, 2025, have been recalled. The affected products include:
- Fresh cucumbers (sold individually and in 2-packs)
- Good & Gather™ Lemon Pepper Greek-Style Chicken Salads
- A wide range of Mai Sushi items, including California rolls, veggie rolls, shrimp rolls, and seasonal sushi boxes
Click here full a full list of products and details from Target.

Walmart

Products:
- No brand name whole cucumbers sold before May 14 (Select Walmart stores in AL, AR, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MO, MD, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, PR, SC, TN, TX, VA and WV.)
- Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices sold at select stores in Texas, including all date codes up to May 24. (PLU# 62969)

Consumers who have purchased any of these recalled products should not consume them and should return them to the store for a full refund. For more information, contact the respective customer service numbers provided.

Advice to consumers

These cucumbers could still be in your fridge, so take a moment to check the stickers. If you see cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc. or Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., throw them out or return them to the store where you purchased them. Additionally:

If you cannot tell if your cucumber was grown by Bedner Growers, throw it away.
When eating out over the next week, ask if cucumbers were from Bedner Growers or Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc.
Carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that the cucumbers may have touched. Follow the FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
Contact your health care provider if you think you may have symptoms of a salmonella infection after eating potentially contaminated cucumbers.
If you have any of the recalled cucumbers, be sure to clean and sanitize any surfaces they touched to prevent cross-contamination.

Symptoms of a salmonella infection

Salmonella is a bacteria that causes illnesses in 1.35 million people every year, according to the CDC. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems may have more serious illnesses that require medical treatment.

Common symptoms of a salmonella infection, known as salmonellosis, include diarrhea, fever and stomach pains. In severe cases, an infection could result in a high fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and dehydration, and it could be fatal. Most people infected will exhibit symptoms six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria. Typically, people recover in four to seven days without needing treatment.

Most people can recover without an antibiotic, but treatment is recommended for anyone with severe illness. Infected adults over age 65 (or over 50 if an underlying condition such as heart disease is present), infants, and those with a weakened immune system are advised to take an antibiotic.