BAY SHORE, NY (November 4, 2025) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Made Fresh Salads Inc. is recalling its Macaroni Salad and Tuna Deluxe Salad products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a harmful bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. This announcement marks the official Made Fresh Salads recall due to potential Listeria contamination.
According to the FDA, the recall was initiated after product sampling by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors detected the presence of Listeria in some 5-pound containers. The agency confirmed that Listeria can pose severe health risks, particularly to pregnant individuals, young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.
Made Fresh Salads recall overview
Made Fresh Salads Inc. of Bay Shore, New York, is recalling all lots and codes of its Macaroni Salad and Tuna Deluxe Salad products sold under the LoBoy brand and Made Fresh Salad brand names. The products were distributed statewide in New York through retail stores in both 5-pound and 30-pound containers for Macaroni Salad, and 5-pound containers for Tuna Deluxe Salad. Listeria monocytogenes was discovered during routine sampling by state food inspectors and subsequent laboratory analysis. No illnesses have been reported to date, but the company has suspended production of the affected products. Consumers who have purchased these salads should not consume them and should return them to the point of purchase for a refund or dispose of them immediately.
Official recall details
- Recall date: November 4, 2025
- Announced by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Company: Made Fresh Salads Inc.
- Products recalled: LoBoy brand Macaroni Salad, LoBoy brand Tuna Deluxe Salad, Made Fresh Salad brand Macaroni Salad, and Made Fresh Salad brand Tuna Deluxe Salad
- Issue: Potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes
- Product sizes: 5-pound and 30-pound containers (Macaroni Salad); 5-pound containers (Tuna Deluxe Salad)
- Affected lots: All lots and codes
- Distribution: Statewide distribution in New York retail stores
- Consumer instructions: Do not eat the products. Dispose of them or return them to the point of purchase for a refund.
Want to know more about what happened? Keep reading.
What happened?
The FDA said Made Fresh Salads Inc. initiated the recall after the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors conducted routine product sampling and discovered Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The company told regulators it became aware of the issue after Food Laboratory personnel analyzed samples and confirmed the presence of the bacterium in some 5-pound containers of “LoBoy Macaroni Salad” and “LoBoy Tuna Deluxe Salad.”
The recall was announced on November 4, 2025, and applies to all lots and codes of four product varieties: LoBoy brand Macaroni Salad, LoBoy brand Tuna Deluxe Salad, Made Fresh Salad brand Macaroni Salad, and Made Fresh Salad brand Tuna Deluxe Salad. The products were distributed to retail stores throughout New York State, where they were sold in deli sections and refrigerated cases.
According to the FDA notice, “Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look, smell or taste spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections.” The agency emphasized that consumers who have eaten the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms, as “it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.”
The company has suspended production of the affected products while the investigation continues. The recall covers both the 5-pound containers sold to consumers and the 30-pound bulk containers used by food service operations and retailers.
Affected products
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best by date | Issue | Distribution |
LoBoy | Macaroni Salad | 5-pound and 30-pound containers | Not listed | All lots and codes | Listeria monocytogenes contamination | New York State |
LoBoy | Tuna Deluxe Salad | 5-pound containers | Not listed | All lots and codes | Listeria monocytogenes contamination | New York State |
Made Fresh Salad | Macaroni Salad | 5-pound and 30-pound containers | Not listed | All lots and codes | Listeria monocytogenes contamination | New York State |
Made Fresh Salad | Tuna Deluxe Salad | 5-pound containers | Not listed | All lots and codes | Listeria monocytogenes contamination | New York State |
What caused the issue?
According to the FDA notice, the contamination was detected through routine state product sampling conducted by New York Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors. Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant people, infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
The agency confirmed that Listeria infections can include symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women are at particularly high risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth. The elderly, young children, and people with weakened immune systems such as cancer patients are also at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and death.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.
Questions you might have
- What should I do if I already ate the recalled salad?
Monitor your symptoms. Contact a healthcare provider if you start feeling unwell. - What symptoms should I look for if I might have a Listeria infection?
Fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or stiff neck. - How do I know if the salad I bought is part of the recall?
Check the label for the product name and use by date. Compare it to the recall details. - Where were the recalled salads sold?
Retail delis, convenience stores, and food service programs in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Arizona. - Are different brands included in this recall?
Yes. Some products were packaged under private label names from different retailers. - Can Listeria grow in refrigerated food?
Yes. Listeria can grow in cold conditions, even inside a refrigerator. - Is Listeria dangerous for pregnant individuals?
Yes. Listeria can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, or stillbirth. - Has anyone gotten sick from this recall?
As of now, no illnesses have been reported. - Can I return the recalled salads for a refund?
Yes. Dispose of the product or return it to the retailer where it was purchased. - How can I report an issue or adverse effects?
Report symptoms or concerns through the FDA MedWatch reporting system.
Here’s what you should do
Do not consume the recalled products under any circumstances.
What to do immediately:
- Check your refrigerator for LoBoy brand or Made Fresh Salad brand Macaroni Salad or Tuna Deluxe Salad
- Do not consume the recalled products, even if they look, smell, and taste normal
- Dispose of the products safely or return them to the point of purchase for a refund
- Thoroughly wash and sanitize any surfaces, containers, or utensils that may have come into contact with the recalled products
- If you have consumed the products, monitor yourself for symptoms for up to 70 days
- Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms of Listeria infection
Questions? Consumers with questions can contact Made Fresh Salads Inc. or report adverse reactions through the FDA MedWatch system.
Behind the brand
Made Fresh Salads Inc. is a Bay Shore, New York-based manufacturer of ready-to-eat deli salads and prepared foods distributed to retail stores throughout New York State. The company produces products under both the LoBoy brand name and its own Made Fresh Salad brand, supplying deli sections and food service operations across the region.
According to the recall notice, the company has halted production of the affected salads and is cooperating with the FDA and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets while the investigation continues. Source86 contacted Made Fresh Salads Inc. to request clarification on how the contamination occurred and what corrective actions are being taken, but the company has not responded to inquiries.
Other relevant recalls
In November 2025, JFE Franchising issued a recall of its Snow Fruit peach salsa after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified Listeria monocytogenes in ingredients provided by Moonlight Companies. No illnesses were reported, but the recall highlights how contamination in a single supplier can impact multiple brands and retailers at once, especially with ready-to-eat products containing fresh fruit.
Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said:
“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about protecting lives. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous environmental monitoring programs, and supplier accountability. In the ready-to-eat category, where products don’t undergo a kill step before consumption, prevention is everything.”
Ensuring safe eats
This recall highlights the critical importance of environmental monitoring and sanitation controls in facilities producing ready-to-eat foods. Listeria contamination often originates from production environments rather than raw ingredients, making facility hygiene and equipment sanitation essential for preventing outbreaks. Manufacturers must implement comprehensive Listeria control programs that include regular environmental testing, traffic flow controls to prevent cross-contamination, and validated cleaning procedures.
For consumers who purchased the recalled Made Fresh Salads products, the guidance is clear: do not consume the products, dispose of them safely or return them for a refund, and monitor yourself for symptoms over the next 70 days if you have already consumed them. The delayed onset of Listeria symptoms makes it crucial to remain vigilant and seek medical attention at the first sign of illness.
Food manufacturers producing ready-to-eat products must recognize that traditional quality control measures are not sufficient for Listeria prevention. Proactive environmental monitoring, daily sanitation verification, and regular third-party audits are essential for identifying and eliminating Listeria harborage sites before contamination reaches finished products. The Made Fresh Salads recall emphasizes the importance of strict sanitation and monitoring to prevent contamination.
At Source86, we help food manufacturers implement comprehensive food safety management systems specifically designed for high-risk ready-to-eat products. Our expertise in FSQA oversight, environmental monitoring programs, and supply chain traceability helps brands prevent contamination incidents before they occur. We work with manufacturers to establish rigorous sanitation protocols, Listeria control programs, and testing systems that protect consumers and preserve brand integrity. Contact us!
