When it comes to foodborne illness, Salmonella is a name no one in the food industry takes lightly. Known for triggering major recalls across categories—from produce and dairy to snacks and raw ingredients—this resilient pathogen continues to challenge food safety protocols around the globe.
So far in 2025, Salmonella has been the driving force behind multiple large-scale product recalls, many of which impacted bulk ingredients, private labels, and co-manufactured brands alike.
Tracking these recalls isn’t just useful for consumer safety—it offers critical lessons for procurement, compliance, and FSQA teams responsible for preventing the next one.
A quick look at 2025’s salmonella recall trends
Even halfway through the year, 2025 has already proven that Salmonella remains a major disruptor in U.S. food manufacturing and distribution. Some patterns we’ve observed:
- Dry goods and low-moisture foods—like nuts, spices, and powders—are once again proving vulnerable due to insufficient kill steps or environmental contamination.
- Cross-contamination in shared facilities remains a top cause, particularly in multi-tenant or under-audited co-manufacturing plants.
- High-risk ingredients from global supply chains—often used in bulk—continue to challenge traceability and response time.
- Private label and deli-prepared items are increasingly affected, especially when suppliers don’t maintain clear kill-step validation or environmental monitoring.
The list: 2025’s Biggest salmonella recalls (so far)
Here are the most impactful Salmonella-related recalls of the year to date:
- April 11, 2025 – Blue Ridge Beef recalled its frozen raw Puppy and Kitten Mix due to Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Intended for pets, the recall also raised human safety concerns due to handling risks. The product was distributed in multiple states through retail stores and direct delivery.
- May 5, 2025 – Ray & Mascari Inc. recalled 4-count Vine Ripe Tomatoes in 20 oz clamshells after being notified by Hanshaw & Capling Farms of potential Salmonella contamination. Distributed through Gordon Food Service Stores in 11 states, the tomatoes were marked with lot numbers RM250424 15250B and RM250427 15250B.
- May 15, 2025 – PennRose Farms recalled whole cucumbers sold in 5-lb mesh bags under the PennRose and Restaurant Depot brands. The cucumbers, traced back to Bedner Growers, carried lot numbers 48-122 to 48-125 and were shipped to NJ, GA, FL, IL, and OH. No illnesses were reported.
- May 19, 2025 – Bedner Growers issued a multi-state recall of cucumbers after FDA testing found Salmonella contamination. The farm’s produce was linked to a growing produce outbreak and flagged in connection with multiple downstream recalls across brands and retailers.
- May 22, 2025 – Big Y Foods recalled store-prepared deli pickles sold across 30+ store locations. The Salmonella contamination was traced to cross-contaminated brine used in preparation. Although no illnesses were reported, the retailer took swift action to remove the items.
- May 22, 2025 – Walmart recalled its Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices sold in Texas stores after learning the cucumbers may have originated from Bedner Growers. Although no illnesses were reported, the recall affected 1.5 lb containers with best-by dates up to May 24, 2025.
- June 3, 2025 – Sulu Organics voluntarily recalled its pork lard and beef tallow products after environmental swabs at the facility tested positive for Salmonella. While final products did not test positive, the recall affected foodservice and retail clients out of precaution.
- June 4, 2025 – TGD Cuts pulled a variety of salads and salsa kits from shelves after a supplier flagged a positive Salmonella test in an ingredient—cucumbers. Distributed under several labels, the affected items were sold across multiple states in fresh-cut produce sections.
- June 13, 2025 – Crystal Creamery recalled 92,594 lbs of Nonfat Dry Milk after internal testing detected potential Salmonella contamination. The product, packed in 25kg industrial bags, was distributed in California and Texas for bulk and wholesale use.
- June 16, 2025 – Fuentes Farms recalled 71 boxes of fresh cucumbers sold at flea markets in McAllen and Alamo, Texas. Routine internal testing flagged the contamination in Lot #357, leading to an immediate recall and production halt. No illnesses were reported.
What these recalls reveal
These 10 Salmonella-related recalls across produce, dairy, animal products, and prepared foods show just how pervasive contamination risks can be. From fresh cucumbers to dry milk powder and raw pet food, no category is immune. The majority stem from upstream ingredient issues—highlighting the urgent need for strong supplier vetting, batch traceability, and proactive testing programs. For retailers, co-manufacturers, and foodservice operators, the lesson is clear: food safety is a shared responsibility, and every link in the chain must hold strong to protect consumers and brand trust.
- Dry ingredients like spices, nuts, and seeds continue to carry risk when suppliers don’t validate kill steps or invest in environmental monitoring.
- Shared facilities and private label programs are especially vulnerable when there’s limited oversight on sanitation SOPs or microbial trend analysis.
- Global ingredient sourcing complicates traceability and response times, making it harder to isolate contaminated lots before they reach the market.
In short: if your product includes ingredients sourced in bulk or handled by co-manufacturers, you’re in Salmonella’s splash zone.
Preventing the next salmonella recall
Whether you’re in procurement, FSQA, or private label development, these proactive steps can help you stay ahead of the next outbreak:
- Vet and verify your suppliers—ask about environmental swabbing, sanitation SOPs, and validated kill steps.
- Map your ingredients and production partners using digital traceability tools.
- Audit high-risk facilities regularly, especially those handling raw or ready-to-eat items.
- Monitor microbial trends to spot repeat problem areas in your own system or that of your co-mans.
- Create a recall response playbook with prewritten alerts and client communication steps—don’t wait until it’s reactive.
Want to reduce your salmonella risk?
We work with QA teams, R&D, and private label buyers every day to evaluate supply chain safety and build smarter sourcing systems.
“For bulk buyers, food safety isn’t just a box to check—it’s a strategic advantage. Choosing the right suppliers and validating their controls is your first line of defense against high-risk recalls like Salmonella.” Dedet Barroso, FSQA Lead at Source86
Want to stay ahead of the next Salmonella recall? Talk to our FSQA team or sign up for Source86 alerts to monitor emerging risks, supplier audits, and recall trends—all in one place.
