PennRose Farms Recalls Cucumbers Over Salmonella Contamination

• Date Issued: May 21, 2025
• Announced by: FDA on May 22, 2025
• Company: PennRose Farms, LLC
• Product: Whole cucumbers
• Issue: Potential contamination with Salmonella
• Product Details: 5-pound mesh bags with PennRose Farms and Restaurant Depot logos
• Distribution: Shipped to NJ, GA, FL, IL, and OH
• Action: Consumers and retailers should discard the product and notify customers if served

Stick around to learn more about this recall—there’s more beneath the surface

What Happened?

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. The issue was discovered after their supplier, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., informed them of a recall by Bedner Growers, Inc., the original source of the cucumbers.

The affected cucumbers were repacked and distributed under the PennRose Farms and Restaurant Depot brands. In total, 1,152 cases (9,216 cucumbers) were shipped to distribution centers in New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio.

Product Details Table:

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Lot Numbers	Packaged Dates	Issue
PennRose Farms	Whole Cucumbers	5-lb mesh bags	841214101714	48-122 to 48-125	May 2–May 5	Salmonella contamination

No other PennRose Farms products are affected. No illnesses have been reported at this time.

What Caused the Issue?

The cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella, a dangerous pathogen that poses serious health risks, particularly to children, elderly individuals, and anyone with a weakened immune system.

Health Risks of Salmonella Contamination:

• Symptoms include diarrhea (often bloody), nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps.
• In severe cases, Salmonella can lead to bloodstream infections, which may cause endocarditis, arthritis, or even infected aneurysms.

Who’s at Risk?

• Infants and young children
• Pregnant women
• Older adults
• People with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems

10 common questions you might have

1. How do I know if I bought the recalled cucumbers?
   Check the bag for UPC code 841214101714 and lot numbers 48-122 to 48-125.
   
2. Where were these cucumbers sold?
   Distributed through Restaurant Depot locations in NJ, GA, FL, IL, and OH.
   
3. Can I return the cucumbers to the store?
   No. The FDA recommends you discard the product immediately.
   
4. What if I already ate the cucumbers?
   Monitor for symptoms of Salmonella. If you feel unwell, contact your healthcare provider.
   
5. Can cooking the cucumbers kill the bacteria?
   Cooking may reduce the risk, but these cucumbers are typically eaten raw. It’s not worth the risk.
   
6. Are there any reported illnesses yet?
   No illnesses have been reported as of May 22, 2025.
   
7. Who is responsible for the contamination?
   The issue traces back to Bedner Growers, Inc., the original supplier.
   
8. What is PennRose doing about it?
   They’ve notified affected distribution centers and are working with the FDA on the recall process.
   
9. Is PennRose Farms usually a reliable brand?
   They’ve had a clean record until now. This case highlights the risks of supply chain dependency.
   
10. Where can I get more information?
    Call PennRose Farms at 800-804-7254 or visit the FDA recall page.

Here’s What You Should Do

If you think you might have purchased the recalled cucumbers, here’s what to do:

• Discard the product immediately. Do not consume or serve it.
• Check the label. Look for the UPC 841214101714 and lot numbers 48-122 to 48-125.
• Contact the company at 800-804-7254 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST for questions.
• Notify your customers if you’re a restaurant or retailer who has served or sold this product.
• Do not sell, serve, or distribute any of the recalled cucumbers.

Behind the Brand

PennRose Farms is a known supplier in the wholesale produce industry, primarily servicing large buyers and distributors like Restaurant Depot. The company’s reputation has been strong, but this recall brings attention to the importance of upstream supplier management.

This isn’t the only produce recall tied to Bedner Growers in recent weeks. A previous recall of cucumbers from the same grower raises concern about repeat contamination risks and signals a need for deeper investigation into their food safety protocols.

Similar previous recalls:

• 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.
• On May 8, 2025, Advantage Health Matters Inc. issued a voluntary recall of its Organic Traditions Organic Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds due to potential Salmonella contamination.
• On May 2, 2025, Ray & Mascari Inc. issued a voluntary recall of their 4 Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes after receiving word from grower Hanshaw & Capling Farms in Immokalee, Florida due to possible contamination with Salmonella, a bacteria you definitely don’t want to invite to your dinner table.

“When something as simple as a cucumber ends up in a recall, it underscores how critical supply chain safety really is. Every link in the process—from farm to distribution—has to be airtight. It’s a clear signal that the industry needs to double down on transparency, rigorous testing, and quality control to keep consumers safe,” says Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.

Ensuring Safe Eats

This recall serves as a reminder of how vulnerable even trusted products are when supplier controls fail. For manufacturers, co-packers, private label brands, and bulk ingredient buyers, the incident reinforces the importance of:

• Conducting thorough supplier due diligence
• Maintaining robust traceability systems
• Enforcing regular food safety audits
• Preparing a clear recall communication plan

In a world where contamination can travel down the supply chain at lightning speed, ingredient safety compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential.Need help sourcing ingredients that meet rigorous safety standards? Let’s talk! Our team is here to help you avoid supply chain surprises and keep your shelves (and your reputation) clean.