- Recall Date Issued: May 21, 2025
- Announced By: FDA on May 22, 2025
- Company: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, LLC
- Product: Marinated Cucumber Salad (16 oz, 36 oz, bulk 5 lb)
- Problem: Potential contamination with Salmonella
- Sold At: Food Lion, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Libbie Market, Ukrop’s Market Hall
- Action: Consumers should return the product to the store where they purchased it for a full refund
- Consumer Contact: 804-340-3050
Shall we learn more about this? Let’s dive into the details.
What Happened?
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. These cucumbers were used in Ukrop’s salads, leading to the potential contamination of three SKUs:
Brand | Product Name | Size | Best By Dates | Issue |
Ukrop’s | Marinated Cucumber Salad | 16 oz | 5/11/25–5/26/25 | Salmonella |
Ukrop’s | Marinated Cucumber Salad | 36 oz | 5/11/25–5/26/25 | Salmonella |
Ukrop’s | Marinated Cucumber Salad (Bulk) | 5 lbs | 5/11/25–5/26/25 | Salmonella |
Retailers were notified and the products have been removed from shelves.
What Caused the Issue?
The issue was traced back to cucumbers provided by Bedner Growers, recently recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. Ukrop’s, using these cucumbers in its salad products, acted quickly to recall its affected items.
Understanding Salmonella and Its Risks
Salmonella enterica is a bacterium commonly associated with foodborne illness. Contamination can occur at various points in the supply chain—from agricultural handling to processing facilities.
Health Risks and Symptoms Include:
- Fever
- Diarrhea (often bloody)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
In rare cases, Salmonella may enter the bloodstream and cause more severe conditions such as:
- Endocarditis (heart lining infection)
- Infected aneurysms
- Reactive arthritis
At-Risk Groups:
- Children under five
- Elderly individuals
- Pregnant people
- Immunocompromised individuals (e.g., those undergoing chemotherapy or with autoimmune conditions)
Why Containment Is Critical:
Even if no symptoms are present, contaminated foods can spread bacteria to other surfaces or food, posing further risk.
10 common questions you may have
1. What is Salmonella and how does it contaminate food?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can contaminate food through poor hygiene, water, soil, or cross-contamination during processing.
2. Are the recalled salads safe to eat if I cook them?
No. These salads are intended to be eaten raw, and cooking isn’t recommended or effective in this context.
3. How do I know if my salad is affected?
Check the product size, label, and sell-by date. If it falls between 5/11/25 and 5/26/25, it is included in the recall.
4. What should I do if I already ate the salad?
Monitor for symptoms like fever, cramps, or diarrhea. Contact your healthcare provider if symptoms develop.
5. Can I just throw it away instead of returning it?
Yes, but the company encourages returns to confirm pull-through and provide refunds.
6. How did the contamination happen?
The cucumbers used were sourced from a grower whose products tested positive for Salmonella.
7. Have any illnesses been reported?
As of the recall announcement, no illnesses have been confirmed.
8. Is this a manufacturing error by Ukrop’s?
No. The contamination originated from a third-party grower, not Ukrop’s facilities.
9. How long does it take for symptoms to show?
Symptoms typically appear 6 hours to 6 days after consuming contaminated food.
10. Where can I get more information?
Visit the FDA’s official recall page or contact Ukrop’s directly.
Here’s What You Should Do
If you purchased any of the affected products:
- Do not consume them.
- Check your package’s sell-by date (between 5/11/25 and 5/26/25).
- Look near the lid or barcode for size and date info.
- Return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
- For questions, contact Ukrop’s at 804-340-3050, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST.
Behind the Brand
Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods began in 2010, continuing the legacy of Ukrop’s Super Markets. Known for homestyle meals and baked goods, the company supplies major grocery retailers across the Mid-Atlantic and operates a flagship Market Hall in Richmond, Virginia.
- Based in Richmond, VA
- Employs nearly 400 team members
- Sells to Kroger, Wegmans, Food Lion, Publix, and more
- Donates 10% of profits to community causes
This is the brand’s first major recall in recent years, though salad-based recalls tied to Salmonella have occurred elsewhere in May, including the Bedner Growers cucumber recall.
Similar previous recalls:
- 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.
- On May 2, 2025, Williams Farms Repack LLC issued a voluntary recall for several tomato products under the H&C Farms and Williams Farms Repack labels after being notified by Southeast Tomato Distributors of a potential Salmonella contamination.
“This recall shows how even everyday ingredients—like cucumbers—can pose risks if supply chain safeguards fail. It’s a strong reminder that food safety depends on every step of the sourcing and manufacturing process. As an industry, we must prioritize transparency, testing, and quality control to protect all consumers, especially those most at risk.” says Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86.
Ensuring Safe Eats
This recall underscores the importance of robust ingredient traceability and proactive supplier partnerships. Even when the contamination originates upstream, brands are accountable for consumer safety and swift recall action.
Why It Matters:
- Prevents widespread illness and protects public health
- Highlights the critical role of supplier due diligence and food traceability systems
- Reinforces the need for quick recall communication in wholesale and co-manufacturing settings
Manufacturers, co-packers, and importers should review internal safety checks, source auditing protocols, and recall readiness procedures to protect consumers and their brand reputation.
Have questions about sourcing safe, certified ingredients? Let’s connect. At Source86, we help brands build safer, more transparent supply chains from farm to label.
