Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled three store-made deli items across 11 states and Washington D.C. due to potential Salmonella contamination linked to an ongoing outbreak that has sickened nearly 30 people.
Newsweek reached out to Albertsons via email comment, and Fresh Creative Foods by phone on Monday but was unable to leave a voicemail.
Why It Matters
Numerous recalls have been initiated in 2025 due to the potential for damaged products, foodborne illness, contamination and undeclared food allergens.
Millions of Americans experience food sensitivities or food allergies every year. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the nine "major" food allergens in the U.S. are eggs, milk, fish, wheat, soybeans, Crustacean shellfish, sesame, tree nuts and peanuts.
The FDA warns that salmonella can sometimes cause fatal infections in the elderly, young children, or people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of salmonella include nausea, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea.
What To Know
The recall was initiated following action by Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., after discovering the products contained cucumber ingredients from Bedner Growers, Inc. of Boynton Beach, Florida. The FDA has confirmed that 26 people have been reported sick and 9 people have been hospitalized in relation to the contaminated cucumbers.
The current outbreak stems from cucumbers sold at Bedner's Farm Fresh Markets in Florida from April 29 to May 14, 2025. FDA investigators collected environmental samples from Bedner Growers that tested positive for Salmonella and matched recent clinical samples from ill people through Whole Genome Sequencing analysis.
This incident represents the company's second Salmonella outbreak, following previous 2024 incidents involving Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup also linked to Bedner Growers' cucumber production.
Newsweek previously reached out to Bedner Growers via phone for comment.
The recall specifically targets three Greek salad products with detailed identification information for consumers:
The affected products were sold at ACME, Balducci's Food Lovers Market, Kings Food Markets, Safeway, Shaw's and Star Market locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and the nation's capital.
What People Are Saying
The FDA, in its recall alert: "Following a recall initiated by Fresh Creative Foods, a division of Reser's Fine Foods, Inc., Albertsons Companies has voluntarily recalled three store-made deli items, supplied by Fresh Creative Foods, due to possible Salmonella contamination and in association with an active illness outbreak. The recall was initiated because these products contain a recalled cucumber ingredient grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., of Boynton Beach, Fla."
The FDA on the salmonella outbreak investigation: "As part of a follow-up inspection in April 2025, FDA investigators collected an environmental sample from Bedner Growers, Inc. that was positive for Salmonella and matched recent clinical samples from ill people, by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis."
What Happens Next
Consumers who have purchased these items are urged not to consume these products and to dispose of them or return the items to their local store for a full refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a health care provider.
All consumers are encouraged to contact Albertsons Companies' Customer Service Center at 1-877-723-3929 Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST for any questions regarding the recall.