- Date Issued: May 22, 2025
- Announced By: FDA on May 27, 2025
- Company Involved: The Coastal Companies
- Product: Salads, salsas, and prepared foods made with Fresh Start cucumbers
- Issue: Potential Salmonella contamination
- Brands Affected: East Coast Fresh, TOPS, Wellsley Farms, WEIS, AHOLD, Jack and Olive, Created Fresh, Spring and Sprout
- What to Do: Don’t eat it. Don’t serve it. Don’t even return it—just destroy it.
Stick around to find out more about what’s behind this salsa situation.
What Happened?
On May 22, 2025, The Coastal Companies issued a voluntary product recall after discovering that fresh cucumbers used in 17 of their products could be contaminated with Salmonella. The cucumbers were sourced from Bedner Growers, Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc.
The recall is linked to a broader investigation by the FDA into contaminated cucumbers, which has resulted in 26 confirmed illnesses across 15 states. Although no illnesses have been directly tied to The Coastal Companies’ products yet, they took proactive steps to prevent further risk.
These items were distributed between May 6 and May 21, 2025, in a wide area across the East Coast and Midwest, including DC, MD, VA, PA, NJ, NC, and beyond.
Product Recall Table
Brand | Product | Size | UPC | Best By | Issue |
East Coast Fresh | Fresh Mild Salsa | 16 oz | 640344010282 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
TOPS | Salsa HOT TOPS | 16 oz | 070784034140 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
Wellsley Farms | Mild Salsa | 30 oz | 888670065808 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
WEIS | Salsa Mild | 16 oz | 041497075959 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
AHOLD | Salsa 1# | 16 oz | 688267032523 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
Jack and Olive | The House Salad | 8 oz | 766375251385 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
Created Fresh | Chicken Salad on Fecelle | 5.76 oz | 766375261681 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
Created Fresh | Southwestern Breakfast Bowl | 11.25 oz | 766375253044 | All lot codes | Salmonella |
What Caused the Issue?
The issue centers around fresh cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc., distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc. and used by The Coastal Companies in 17 different products. These cucumbers are now being investigated as part of a nationwide Salmonella outbreak, which has already led to 26 confirmed illnesses across 15 U.S. states.
The Salmonella Threat
Salmonella is a bacteria that can sneak into fresh produce through contaminated water, soil, equipment, or even poor handling practices during harvest or packing. It’s resilient, invisible to the naked eye, and unfortunately, it loves raw veggies like cucumbers.
Who’s Most at Risk?
While healthy individuals can recover from a Salmonella infection within a few days, vulnerable groups can suffer much more serious effects:
- Young children
- Elderly adults
- Pregnant individuals
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
Keep an eye out for these symptoms, which usually show up within 6 hours to 6 days of exposure:
- Fever
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Headache
- Dehydration in severe cases
While most recover without treatment, some cases require hospitalization—especially for people in high-risk categories.
10 Common Questions You Might Have:
1. Q: I bought one of these products—am I definitely going to get sick?
A: Not necessarily. The recall is precautionary. If you haven’t eaten it yet—don’t. If you have, monitor for symptoms.
2. Q: How can I tell if I have one of the affected products?
A: Check the brand name, UPC code, and pack size on the packaging. Use our table above for reference.
3. Q: Can I cook the product to make it safe?
A: Most of these are ready-to-eat items like salads and salsas—not meant for cooking. It’s safest to discard them.
4. Q: Can I return it to the store for a refund?
A: Nope. The company says to destroy the product and NOT return it due to safety risks.
5. Q: I already ate the product. What should I do now?
A: Monitor your health. If you experience symptoms like fever or diarrhea, contact a healthcare provider immediately.
6. Q: Are other brands at risk too?
A: Yes. Other recalls linked to the same cucumber source have occurred this week. Check FDA’s latest food recalls for more info.
7. Q: Can washing the cucumbers or product help?
A: Washing won’t remove Salmonella that’s already contaminated the produce or has spread throughout a salad mix.
8. Q: Why are cucumbers such a problem?
A: They’re often eaten raw and have a textured surface that can trap bacteria. If they’re contaminated at the farm or packhouse, it can be hard to catch.
9. Q: How did The Coastal Companies respond?
A: They’ve issued a voluntary recall, are cooperating with the FDA, and are working with supply partners to contain the issue.
10. Q: How can I stay informed about recalls like this in the future?
A: Subscribe to FDA recall alerts or follow Source86 for timely updates on bulk ingredient recalls and product safety news.
Here’s What Should You Do
If you’ve stocked up on any of the listed items, here’s your action plan:
- Don’t Eat It: Toss it—do NOT try to return it.
- Label Check: Look for the UPC codes, brand names, and package sizes listed above.
- Questions? Contact The Coastal Companies at 410-133-8000 or email [email protected].
Behind the Brand
Headquartered in Laurel, Maryland, The Coastal Companies operates multiple foodservice and retail distribution arms, including East Coast Fresh and Hearn Kirkwood. The company emphasizes fresh produce and ready-to-eat foods. In fact, previous incidents have occurred in the produce space across the industry, including:
- On May 23, 2025, Spectrum Brands Pet LLC issued a voluntary recall of a single lot of its Tetra ReptoMin 3-In-1 SELECT-A-FOOD reptile food because of possible Salmonella contamination in one of the components used in the mix.
- On May 22, 2025, Walmart Inc. voluntarily recalled its Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices from select stores in Texas due to Salmonella outbreak under FDA investigation.
- On May 22, 2025, Albertsons Companies voluntarily recalled three varieties of store-made Greek salad deli items due to the potential for Salmonella contamination.
- 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 due to contact with Salmonella.
- On May 20, 2025, Supreme Service Solutions LLC voluntarily recalled select Yummi Sushi products due to Salmonella outbreak, according to the FDA.
“This situation is a textbook example of how one seemingly small ingredient—like a fresh cucumber—can disrupt an entire chain of products. It underscores the importance of having strong traceability systems, consistent quality checks, and open communication between growers, suppliers, and retailers. That’s how we protect consumers and maintain brand trust—even when things go sideways.” says Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.
Ensuring Safe Eats
Recalls like this shake up the foodservice world, especially for wholesale buyers, co-packers, and private label suppliers who depend on consistency, traceability, and safety. Thus, when one ingredient goes rogue—like a salmonella-spiked cucumber—it can cause a ripple effect across salads, salsas, and snack bowls.
For manufacturers and foodservice distributors, this is a reminder to:
- Audit your supplier safety systems
- Ensure ingredient traceability
- Prioritize recall communication best practices
And for the rest of us? Double-check your fridge and don’t risk it—when in doubt, throw it out.
Want to keep your ingredient sourcing top-notch (and salmonella-free)? Chat with our team at Source86 for quality you can count on, every time. Let’s connect!
