JFE Franchising Recalls Cucumber Products Over Salmonella Risk

Date Issued: May 23, 2025
Announced by: FDA on May 23, 2025
Company Name: JFE Franchising, Inc.
Product Names: Fresh-cut cucumber trays, salads, and sushi
Issue: Potential Salmonella contamination
Brands: Snowfruit and Snowfox
Product Details: Plastic-packaged fresh-cut items, sushi, and salads across multiple states
Action: Do not consume, return to store, or discard immediately

Wanna know more about what happened? Keep on reading!

What Happened?

On May 23, 2025, JFE Franchising, Inc. of Houston, TX, issued a voluntary recall of various fresh-cut cucumber products and sushi items sold under Snowfruit and Snowfox brands. Why? They might have come into contact with Salmonella—a bacteria that’s definitely not invited to your lunch party.

This recall was triggered by an earlier May 19 recall from Bedner Growers, Inc., who supplied the potentially contaminated cucumbers. JFE’s products—sold at Kroger, Roundy’s (Pick ‘n Save, Metro Market), and Weis Market—used these cucumbers in ready-to-eat salads, veggie trays, and sushi.

No illnesses have been reported so far, but the company is playing it safe, urging customers to return or dispose of the affected products.

Affected Products and Details

Here’s a breakdown of what’s on the no-go list:

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best By Date	Issue
Snowfruit	Cucumber with Ranch	9 oz	63912395020	N/A	Potential Salmonella
Snowfox	Bibimbap Bowl	13 oz	63912389259	N/A	Potential Salmonella
Roundy’s	Garden Salad	16 oz	639123600547	N/A	Potential Salmonella
Weis Market	Cucumber Salad	3 oz	63912389205	N/A	Potential Salmonella
Snowfruit	Mixed Melon, Cucumbers & Tajin	18 oz	63912394007	N/A	Potential Salmonella
Various	Sushi containing cucumber	Various	Various	Expired	Potential Salmonella

Full list of affected products and where they were sold is available on the FDA recall page.

What Caused the Issue?

The root of this recall lies in a broader supply chain concern. The cucumbers used in Snowfruit and Snowfox’s products were sourced from Bedner Growers, Inc., a supplier that issued a recall on May 19, 2025, due to potential Salmonella contamination. As a precaution and in alignment with food safety protocols, JFE Franchising, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall on May 20, 2025, for all items containing these cucumbers.

Salmonella is a bacterial pathogen that can pose serious health risks, particularly when consumed via raw or undercooked foods like fresh vegetables or ready-to-eat products. Once ingested, the bacteria can cause salmonellosis, a type of foodborne illness with potentially severe consequences.

Why It Matters

Contaminated food doesn’t just pose a personal health risk—it creates widespread liability across the supply chain, from grower to processor, distributor, retailer, and ultimately, the consumer. When dealing with perishable, uncooked ingredients like cucumbers, the risk of bacterial transmission increases dramatically, especially when cross-contamination occurs during cutting, packaging, or distribution.

Health Risks and Symptoms

Salmonellosis usually manifests within 6 hours to 6 days of exposure and lasts 4 to 7 days. While most healthy individuals recover without medical treatment, vulnerable groups face a higher risk of complications:

At-Risk Groups:

Children under 5
Adults over 65
Pregnant individuals
Immunocompromised persons (e.g., those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or chronic illnesses)

Symptoms include:

Fever
Diarrhea (possibly bloody)
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Headache
In rare cases, more serious conditions like arterial infections, endocarditis, or reactive arthritis

There are currently no confirmed illnesses linked to the recalled products, but given the nature of Salmonella, vigilance is essential.

10 common questions you might have

1. What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, commonly found in raw meats, eggs, and produce.

2. How does Salmonella contamination happen?
Contamination can occur at any point during growing, harvesting, processing, or packaging—often due to unsanitary conditions or contact with contaminated water or surfaces.

3. Which products were recalled?
Over 30 fresh-cut salads, cucumber trays, and sushi products under Snowfruit and Snowfox brands. A complete product list is included above.

4. How can I check if my product is affected?
Check the label for brand, product name, UPC code, and purchase location. Affected items were sold at Kroger, Roundy’s, and Weis Market.

5. Is it safe to cook or wash the product before eating?
No. These products are meant to be eaten fresh, and washing or cooking does not guarantee removal of bacteria once contamination has occurred.

6. What should I do if I have one of these products?
Do not consume it. Return the item to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of it safely.

7. What should I do if I’ve already eaten it?
If you consumed the product and feel unwell, contact your healthcare provider, especially if symptoms appear within a few days.

8. How can I prevent foodborne illness in the future?
Practice good food hygiene: wash produce, separate raw and cooked foods, refrigerate perishables promptly, and source ingredients from reputable suppliers.

9. Were any other brands or stores involved?
This recall specifically involves JFE Franchising’s Snowfruit and Snowfox products. However, the original cucumber recall from Bedner Growers may affect other companies and should be monitored.

10. How do I get more information?
Consumers can contact the brand at:

Snowfruit: [email protected]
Snowfox: [email protected]
Customer service is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST.

Here’s What You Should Do

JFE Franchising Fresh cut cucumber trays, salads, and sushi

If you’ve stocked up on any of the affected products, here’s what to do:

Do not eat the product.
Check labels for UPC codes listed above.
Return items to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Or, safely discard the product.
Questions? Contact:
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. CST

Behind the Brand

JFE Franchising, Inc., based in Houston, TX, operates the Snowfox sushi brand and Snowfruit fresh produce line. While they’re no strangers to convenience-based fresh meals, this is their first major recall in 2025.

This recall follows several Salmonella-linked alerts this month, including:

On May 20, 2025, Supreme Service Solutions LLC voluntarily recalled select Yummi Sushi products due to Salmonella outbreak, according to the FDA.
On May 21, 2025, PennRose Farms, LLC issued a voluntary recall of its whole cucumbers packaged in 5-pound mesh bags due to a Salmonella contamination risk.
On May 21, 2025, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods voluntarily recalled its Marinated Cucumber Salad products following an upstream recall of cucumbers by Bedner Growers, which had detected a risk of Salmonella contamination.
On May 22, 2025, Big Y Foods issued a voluntary recall on some of its made-to-order subs, wraps, and paninis due to contamination with Salmonella.
On May 19, 2025, Bedner Growers, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of fresh cucumbers distributed through its Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market locations in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach. The FDA linked these cucumbers to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak.

“When something as simple as a cucumber leads to a nationwide recall, it underscores how critical it is to maintain a strong and transparent supply chain. From the farm to the packaging facility to the grocery shelf, each step must be carefully managed. This incident serves as a reminder to the industry that robust traceability, strict quality controls, and clear communication are essential to safeguard public health.” says Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.

Clearly, cucumbers are having a rough May.

Ensuring Safe Eats

This recall is a strong reminder of the importance of traceability and supply chain vigilance—especially for companies relying on fresh, perishable ingredients.

In a world where “fresh” can sometimes mean “fragile,” manufacturers and co-packers need:

Robust food traceability systems
Solid supplier due diligence
A clear recall communication plan

If your business sources bulk ingredients or handles private label production, you need to know what’s in your product and where it came from.

Looking for high-quality, fully traceable ingredients? Let’s talk. At Source86, we’re all about safer sourcing, smarter suppliers, and stronger food systems.