FDA issues most dangerous recall for salads that carry 'reasonable risk of DEATH'

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

Health officials are warning Americans to avoid pre-made salads over fears of potential salmonella contamination.
The FDA has issued a Class I recall for 946 cases of refrigerated deli salads made by Isabelle's Kitchen, Inc.
Officials said that the products contain fresh cucumbers that were contaminated with salmonella - a foodborne illness that can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach pains in healthy adults.
The bacterial infection can prove to be fatal for young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems.
The FDA has already recalled 75,000 pounds of salmonella-contaminated cucumbers that were produced by Bedner Grower's, Inc. and were used in the deli salad boxed last week.
The newest affected products include Kings Greek Pasta Salad, IKI Greek Pasta Salad, MAF Mediterranean Pasta Salad, MAF Crunchy Wheatberry Salad, MAF Quinoa Tabouli and Powerhouse Wheatberry Salad Kit.
All of the recalled salad boxes have a code of either 134, 135 or 136 and were manufactured by May 27 to June 1, 2025.
According to the FDA, the contaminated salads were sold in various local supermarkets in New Hampshire, Florida, Maryland, South Carolina, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
A Class I recall is the most serious warning and indicates that consuming the salad will cause serious adverse health consequences or even death.
As of now, no illnesses caused by the recalled items have been reported.
The agency noted that the recalled salads have been packed in white plastic containers inside a white or brown corrugated box under the brand names 'Isabelle's Kitchen,' 'Maple Avenue Foods,' or 'Kings.'
In its official recall notice, the FDA further warned: 'Any repacked items sold at the supermarket level may not carry the same sell by date as identified on the original package, but would not exceed the original manufacture sell by date.'
Apart from disposing the boxes, consumers have been asked to return them to the store of purchase for a refund.
All three manufacturers have also been asked to cease sale/distribution of the recalled products, to remove the boxes from store shelves and/or warehouse locations and to destroy all remaining items.
No other products made by Kings, Isabelle's Kitchen and Maple Avenue Foods have been contaminated by the bacteria.
Salmonella, or salmonellosis, is a infection caused by the bacteria and is one of the most common bacterial infections in the US.
About 1.35million people are estimated to be infected by salmonella in the US every year, while 26,500 are hospitalized and 420 die from the infections.
Most people sickened with salmonella suffer from a four- to six-day illness that causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
But officials warn children under five and adults over 65 are more at risk from the bacteria because they have a weaker immune system.
In serious cases, the bacteria can cause bloody stools and prolonged vomiting. People can die from salmonella via dehydration or if the bacteria enters the bloodstream, which can lead to sepsis — a life-threatening reaction.
People suffering from inflammatory bowel syndrome and those with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV are ALSO at A higher risk.
Healthcare providers suggest drinking fluids including water, broth and oral rehydration solutions to help treat the infection.
However, in severe cases, doctors may prescribe antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Azithromycin.
In May, Florida-based Bedner Growers, Inc, voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold at Bedner's Farm Fresh Market between April 29 and May 14, 2025, because they could be contaminated with salmonella.
The recalled cucumbers were sold to consumers at three Bedner's Farm Fresh Markets locations in Florida (Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach).
They were also sold to a wholesalers, restaurants, retailers and distribution centers.
Officials found salmonella bacteria from samples on the farm that matched samples from people who got sick.
The FDA said because the recalled cucumbers don't have specific stickers or labeling, customers should discard and not consume any cucumbers purchased from these locations between the affected dates.
The tainted cucumbers have been linked by the FDA to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened 26 people in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kenticky, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.