In the news

The FDA reported that Coastal Companies recalled 17 products produced from cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers, Inc. and distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., due to the potential for Salmonella contamination. East Coast Fresh distributed these products in Laurel, MD, and Hearn Kirkwood in Jessup, MD. The affected products were distributed between May 6, 2025, and May 21, 2025, to multiple customers in Washington D.C., Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, and North Carolina. To date, no illnesses related to The Coastal Companies’ products have been reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports the Bedner’s Farm cucumber recall is linked to 26 illnesses in 15 states. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/coastal-companies-issues-voluntary-recall-items-fresh-start-cucumbers-due-potential-salmonella

In Germany, Lebensmittelwarnung reported that Mitrofresh B.V. has recalled all lot codes of the Super Fruta brand Enoki mushrooms due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was sold in the following States: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Schleswig-Holstein. If the product is fully heated to at least 70°C, for example, by boiling or frying, the bacteria will be killed, and the risk of infection is negligible. However, as a precautionary measure, the authorities advise against its use. @ https://www.lebensmittelwarnung.de/___lebensmittelwarnung.de/Meldungen/2025/05_Mai/250526_24_BY_Enoki_Pilze/250526_24_BY_Enoki_Pilze.html

The FDA reported that JFE Franchising, Inc. (Houston, TX) has recalled a limited number of fresh-cut cucumber items and sushi products containing cucumber due to the potential contamination with Salmonella. To date, there have been no reported illnesses or consumer complaints associated with the specific products listed below. This action is in response to the May 19, 2025, recall issued by Bedner Growers, Inc., whose cucumbers were supplied to retailer partners and used as ingredients in our fresh-cut cucumber products and sold through Kroger, Roundy’s (Pick n Save and Metro Market), and Weis Market retail locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and New York. The recall was initiated on May 20, 2025, in alignment with our commitment to consumer safety and regulatory compliance. @ https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/jfe-franchising-inc-recalls-limited-number-cucumber-products-because-possible-health-risk-0

The FDA is advising consumers and retailers not to eat, sell, or serve products distributed by Pan-African Food Distributors of Louisville, Kentucky. A May 2025 FDA inspection of the firm’s distribution center in Louisville, Kentucky revealed the presence of an active rodent infestation and numerous rodent droppings on multiple product containers. The state of Kentucky has mandated the firm halt operations due to the absence of a required permit and has implemented a blanket quarantine of product. The state is urging the voluntary disposal of all contaminated food and will prohibit the business from reopening until the infestation is completely addressed. FDA has recommended Pan-African Food Distributors recall all products of concern currently on the market, and the firm has agreed. FDA is issuing this public health alert to notify the customers and consumers about the public health risk that these products pose. Retailers and distributors that purchased or received products described below from Pan-African Food Distributors should not sell or serve potentially contaminated products and should clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated products.   @ https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-advises-consumers-retailers-and-distributors-not-eat-sell-or-serve-products-pan-african-food?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery