FDA Issues Warning Letter to Florida Farm Operation Related to Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers

FDA issued a Warning Letter to Bedner Growers, a farm operation in Boynton Beach, FL after inspection in response to o the 2024 multi-state outbreak of human infections with Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup linked to the firm's cucumbers.

"On April 2, 2025, FDA collected Sample 1148702 consisting of (b)(4) environmental swabs from your cucumber packing line. FDA analyzed Sample 1148702 and determined that (b)(4) of the (b)(4) swabs, representing food contact surfaces, were positive for Salmonella. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis revealed that, as of May 7, 2025, (b)(4) isolates matched (b)(4) 2025 clinical isolates in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) database that were uploaded April 25, 2025, or later. The same (b)(4) isolates from sample 1148702 were pathogens associated with illness in the 2025 multi-state outbreak investigation of human infections with Salmonella Montevideo described below."

"As part of FDA’s investigation, on May 15, 2025, FDA collected Sample 1298712, cucumbers determined to have been grown at your farm, from a distribution center in Pennsylvania. Salmonella was detected and WGS analysis determined that two isolates from this sample matched the Salmonella Montevideo outbreak strain. In addition, multiple other strains of Salmonella were detected which matched other isolates in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) database, including isolates from the 2024 multistate outbreak of human infections with Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup, and an isolate from a 2024 cucumber sample collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which was also determined to have been grown at your farm."

"On May 16, 2025, FDA received your written response, describing corrective actions taken by your farm since April 14, 2025. We note that your written response lacked supporting details, or evidence of implementation, except for a letter from the University of Florida, dated May 12, 2025, which describes the 3rd party sampling effort that occurred at your farm on April 16, 2025."

https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/bedner-growers-inc-706726-11172025
WARNING LETTER

Bedner Growers, Inc.
MARCS-CMS 706726 — November 17, 2025

Canada - Pizza with Pepperoni and Bacon Recalled After Linked to E.coli O26 Outbreak

General Mills Canada is recalling Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops Pepperoni + Bacon products after being linked to an outbreak of E. coli O26.

Not too much more information than that.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency 
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/certain-pillsbury-brand-pizza-pops-pepperoni-bacon-recalled-due-e-coli-o26
Food recall warning
Certain Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops Pepperoni + Bacon recalled due to E. coli O26

Canadian Establishment Recalls Quiche with Ham Product for No USDA Import Inspection

Maître Saladier Inc. in Quebec, Canada, is recalling approximately 6,000 pounds of Lorraine Quiche products containing pork [in the form of ham] that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States.  The problem was discovered during routine FSIS import surveillance activities. There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. 


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/maitre-saladier-inc--recalls-lorraine-quiche-products-imported-without-benefit
Maître Saladier Inc. Recalls Lorraine Quiche Products Imported Without Benefit of Import Reinspection

FSIS Announcement

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 – Maître Saladier Inc. in Quebec, Canada, is recalling approximately 6,000 pounds of Lorraine Quiche products containing pork that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Oregon Establishment Recalls Kielbasa Product After Complaint for Metal

Olympia Provisions, a Portland, Ore., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) holiday kielbasa sausages that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal.  The problem was discovered after the establishment notified FSIS that it received a consumer complaint regarding metal found in the product. There have been no confirmed reports of injury due to consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury should contact a healthcare provider.

This item was shipped to retail locations in California, Oregon, and Washington, and was available nationwide through online direct-to-consumer sales.                      


https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/olympia-provisions-recalls-ready-eat-holiday-kielbasa-sausage-products-due-possible
Olympia Provisions Recalls Ready-to-Eat Holiday Kielbasa Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2025 – Olympia Provisions, a Portland, Ore., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,930 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) holiday kielbasa sausages that may be contaminated with foreign material, specifically metal, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Washington Firm Recalls Almondmilk Chocolate Due to Undeclared Hazelnut

Fran’s Chocolates, Ltd. of Seattle, WA is recalling 112 units of Fran’s Pure Bar Almondmilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based, net wt. 1.1oz, because it contains undeclared hazelnut.  The company had received a report of one adverse allergic event related to the consumption of Fran’s Pure Bar Almondmilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based. 

The Fran’s Pure Bar Almondmilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based product was sold in four Fran’s Chocolates stores in Seattle, WA, and it was also sold online.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frans-chocolates-ltd-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-hazelnuts-frans-pure-bar-almondmilk-chocolate

Fran’s Chocolates, LTD. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Hazelnuts in Fran’s Pure Bar AlmondMilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based Product
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 20, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 20, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contains undeclared hazelnut
Company Name:  Fran's
Brand Name:  Fran’s
Product Description:  Almondmilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based

MA Firm Recalls Yogurtish Type of Product Due to Undeclared Almond

PlantBased Innovations, of Leominster, MA, is recalling Higher Harvest by H-E-B Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt, Strawberry flavor because the product may contain undeclared almond.  The recall was initiated after a customer complaint revealed that product containing almond was distributed in packaging that did not declare the presence of almond.

The recalled product was distributed to H-E-B and shipped on November 24, 2025, through H-E-B distribution centers and retail grocery stores in Texas.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/plantbased-innovations-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-almond-h-e-b-dairy-free-coconut-yogurt
PlantBased Innovations Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almond in H-E-B Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt, Strawberry Flavor
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 19, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 19, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  May contain undeclared almond
Company Name:  PlantBased Innovations
Brand Name:  Higher Harvest by H-E-B
Product Description:  Dairy-Free Coconut Yogurt, Strawberry flavor

Additional Recall Posted for Frozen Shrimp from Indonesia Due to Cesium-137

Direct Source Seafood LLC, Bellevue, WA, is recalling approximately 83,800 bags of frozen raw shrimp, imported from Indonesia, sold under the Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro brands because they may have been prepared, packed, or held under insanitary conditions whereby they may have become contaminated with cesium-137 (Cs-137).

This recall is linked to the ongoing shrimp recalls for product from Indonesia where cesium 137 was identified as potential contaminant.  While this recall comes months after the last recall related to this cesium issue, there was no reason stated.  In the notice, it states, "The FDA is actively investigating reports of Cs-137 contamination in shipping containers and frozen shrimp products manufactured in Indonesia by PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods). As noted in the FDA statement issued on 10/7/25: “At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cesium-137 (Cs-137) has entered the U.S. marketplace.”"

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/direct-source-seafood-llc-recalling-frozen-raw-shrimp-because-product-may-have-become-contaminated
Direct Source Seafood LLC is Recalling Frozen Raw Shrimp Because Product May Have Become Contaminated with Cesium-137 (Cs-137)
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 19, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 19, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Shellfish
Reason for Announcement:  Product may have been prepared, packed, or held under conditions whereby they may have become exposed to very low levels of cesium-137 (Cs-137)
Company Name:  Direct Source Seafood LLC
Brand Name:  Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro
Product Description:  Frozen Raw Shrimp

Michigan Firm Recalls Cheddar Cheese Product After Finding Listeria in Product.

Boss Dairy Farms, Charlevoix, MI, is voluntarily recalling one retail lot of Charlevoix Cheese Company 8oz Mild Cheddar Cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.  The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in an 8oz block of mild cheddar.

It is important to note that this cheeses is made from pasteurized milk so the contamination would be more likely to be from post-process contamination from an environmental source (rather than from the raw milk ingredient).

Another issue is that the company is only recalling one lot of cheese.  As we have seen in many cases, an environmental contamination issue will often impact multiple lots....unless there is good reason why only one lot was impacted.

Product was distributed in Michigan only through retail stores.


https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/boss-dairy-farms-voluntarily-recalls-retail-mild-cheddar-cheese-because-possible-health-risk
Boss Dairy Farms Voluntarily Recalls Retail Mild Cheddar Cheese Because Of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 17, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages  Cheese/Cheese Product
Reason for Announcement:  Potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Company Name:  Boss Dairy Farms
Brand Name:  Charlevoix Cheese Company
Product Description:  Milk Cheddar Cheese

PA Firm Recalls Rice Bowl Product with Incorrect Bottom Label Missing Allergens

A.S.K. Foods, LLC of Palmyra, PA is recalling select 32 oz. containers of Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas because it contains undeclared soy.   The recalled Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas was packaged in a plastic tray where the top label indicates Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas, Net Wt. 32 OZ (2 LB) 907, the bottom label has CAVATAPPI PASTA as the first ingredient and has a code on the lid of “5387-4”, “5387-5” or “5387-6”.

In this case, the bottom label was incorrect.  The top label, Rice and Pigeon Peas is correct.  The bottom label was for a pasta product.  While unsure whether the pic of the bottom label provided by FDA is the full bottom label, I can see there it would be difficult for the line operator to easily see if it is correct.  Regardless, an Allergen Preventive Controls in the form of procedures for ensuring proper labels is needed.

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/ask-foods-llc-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-soy-publix-rice-pigeon-peas
A.S.K. Foods, LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy in Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas
Summary
Company Announcement Date:  December 18, 2025
FDA Publish Date:  December 18, 2025
Product Type:  Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:  Contains undeclared soy
Company Name:  A.S.K. Foods, LLC
Brand Name:  Publix
Product Description:  Publix Rice & Pigeon Peas

Another Widely Publicized Recall of Salad Dressing Misses Mark for Relevance to Consumers

Another recall news story that was published by all the news outlets, but no reporter looked into the facts.  Over the past 6 days or so (December 17, 2025 and after), news outlets have been reporting a giant recall of salad dressing from a California company due to foreign material in the form of plastic.   The news articles show pictures of retail store sized bottles and makes it seem as though this is the same item consumers buy.   Two problems - the recall was issued one month ago (11/6/25), and bigger yet, it was foodservice sized containers (gallon sized or bigger).  Therefore, this recall as published is not relevant for the consumer, especially at this time.

Costco did issue a recall related to this item, however it was for salad items made with that salad dressing on November 7, 2025.  (file:///C:/Users/mwb124/Downloads/PLEASEPOST11-7-25MemberLetter-CaesarDressingRecall-ServiceDeliItems.pdf)

We are seeing an increasing number of these poorly informed recall news stories.  Reporters are using the Enforcement Reports (this one is below) instead of the FDA recall notices that are publicly released and then they fail to read the information on the Enforcement Notice.  There is a reason why FDA does not issue a Public Recall Notice for this and reporters need to ask why

Why does this story get reported now?  It seems when FDA finally classifies the recall, it makes it seem recent.

Why is this not good?  We are bombarded with news stories on recalls.  People may become weary of all the recalls published and are likely not to take action.  Others may become hypervigilant, throwing away good food due to concern.  Overall, it makes it seem that our food is less safe than it really is.

CBS News
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/salad-dressing-recall-foreign-objects-fda-ventura-foods/

Salad dressings recalled in 27 U.S. states because they could contain "foreign objects"

By Megan Cerullo

December 17, 2025 / 6:11 PM EST / CBS News

Add CBS News on Google

Ventura Foods is recalling thousands of cases of salad dressings sold at retailers including Costco and Publix because the condiments could contain "foreign objects," according to an alert from the Food and Drug Administration.