Salmonella: Risk Factors, Symptoms, Recalls, and More

Health
Written By Sarah Mattie

As of June 4, 2025, there are major recalls related to Salmonella in cucumbers and tomatoes. This includes a recall of Williams Farms Repack LLC Tomatoes, which has been given a Class 1 rating (potentially deadly). Some backyard poultry and geckos are also linked to Salmonella at this time.

Salmonella outbreaks can result in serious, widespread illnesses. It's essential to monitor the news for reports of outbreaks to ensure the safety of both humans and animals.

Here, you can learn more about Salmonella, including its symptoms, dangers to your health, when to seek treatment, and what to do with contaminated products. This article also addresses frequently asked questions (FAQs) about recalls and includes a list of FDA-published food recalls related to Salmonella from January to May 2025.

None of this is medical advice. Only medical practitioners can diagnose illnesses. Medical decisions should be made with a medical provider.

What is Salmonella?

Salmonella, also known as salmonellosis, is a bacterial illness that affects the intestinal tracts of humans and animals. The bacteria is typically shed from the body via feces (poop). However, you don't need to come into direct contact with feces to get the illness.¹

How people get Salmonella

Salmonella usually comes from contaminated food or water, though there are other ways to contract the illness.¹,²

The most common ways to get Salmonella are¹,²:

  • Infected water (particularly common in countries without clean water and poor sewage disposal)

  • Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs

  • Unpasteurized dairy products ("raw milk")

  • Uncooked that come into contact with raw animal products or their juices

  • Fruits and vegetables, particularly if imported

  • Food handled by unwashed hands

  • Physical contact with infected surfaces followed by putting contaminated body parts into the mouth (e.g., fingers)

  • Physical contact with animals, particularly reptiles and birds (though mammals and amphibians may also carry it); animals do not need to go outside to contract Salmonella

  • Physical contact with infected individuals (this is why hand washing is essential!)

Though many healthy foods can be contaminated by Salmonella, you shouldn’t avoid them entirely! Not eating a variety of healthy meats, dairy products, and produce could result in a nutrient deficiency. You should simply remain vigilant about appropriate food safety measures and recall news.

Preventing salmonella

Since you likely won't know you have come into contact with Salmonella afterward – it doesn't have a smell² – you need to take steps to prevent infection in the first place. Some ways to stop Salmonella before you contract it are¹,²,⁴⁻⁷:

  • Monitoring recalls and checking and disposing of relevant foods appropriately

  • Staying home from work or school if sick

  • Keeping your body clean

    • Avoid physical contact with infected people or things they have touched; wash your hands after any such contact.

    • Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the toilet (even for urination), changing diapers, handling raw or undercooked food, or touching or cleaning up after an animal or its food, water, toys, etc.

    • Insist those around you wash their hands.

    • Ensure your children's hands are washed.

  • Properly preparing  and storing food

    • Don't make food for others when you're sick.

    • Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce.

    • Wash plates that had raw meat on them before putting any other food on them.

    • Store raw poultry, seafood, and meat separately from other foods in your refrigerator.

    • Cook food thoroughly.

    • Thoroughly clean food prep areas with soap and water before and after use.

    • Use soap and water on utensils and eating surfaces before and after use.

    • Refrigerate or freeze food within the recommended amount of time – or throw it away.

      • Freezing does not kill Salmonella, though it does slow its growth.

    • Wash and peel produce before cutting, cooking, or eating.

    • Use bottled or boiled water when cooking if you're unsure about the safety of your water supply.

  • Properly eating food

    • Don't share food with others if you're sick or if they're sick.

    • Avoid eating raw eggs (commonly found in cookie dough, homemade ice cream, mayonnaise, hollandaise, and eggnog).

    • Drink pasteurized milk and juices.

    • Eat pasteurized dairy products.

    • Wash and peel food before eating.

    • Drink, cook with, and bathe in bottled or boiled water if you're unsure if water is safe.

  • Remaining safe around animals

    • Wash hands immediately after contact with animals.

    • Do not kiss animals.

    • Ensure that people with immune issues, those 65 and older, and those under 5 don't touch risky animals.

    • Avoid eating or drinking around animals or in their vicinity.

    • Don't share food or water with animals.

    • Clean your pet's habitats and other belongings outside whenever possible.

    • Find a place other than your kitchen to clean animal bowls and other belongings.

  • Handling less common situations appropriate

    • When traveling abroad, when it comes to food and water, the CDC recommends you "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it!"

    • Avoid swallowing water when swimming in any body of water, including chlorinated pools.

    • Avoid swimming in any type of water or using a hot tub with people who have diarrhea.

    • Avoid sex with those who have diarrhea.

Resources regarding best practices for cleaning and sanitizing

Who is most likely to get Salmonella

Anyone can potentially get Salmonella, although some people are at a higher risk than others. Salmonella is the most common type of bacterial food poisoning, affecting more than one million Americans each year, with nearly 27,000 hospitalizations and over 400 deaths reported annually.²

Individuals are most likely to contract Salmonella if they have certain lifestyle factors, illnesses, or specific medication needs. These include people who¹,²:

  • Travel internationally

  • Own or frequently handle animals or animal tanks, pens, food and water bowls, litter boxes, etc.

  • Living near or handling high-risk animals like chickens, ducks, lizards, and turtles

  • Have stomach or bowel disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease

  • Frequently take antacids

  • Recently used antibiotics

  • Have immune issues like HIV/AIDS and sickle cell disease

  • Take anti-rejection drugs

  • Are on corticosteroids

Salmonella symptoms

While some people infected with Salmonella never get sick, most develop gastrointestinal symptoms.¹ (Again, this is why handwashing is essential, even if you don't believe you're sick!)

Common symptoms of Salmonella include¹⁻³:

  • Appetite loss

  • Chills

  • Dehydration caused by diarrhea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea (with or without visible mucus or blood)

  • Fever

  • Headache

  • Nausea

  • Stomach pains or cramps

  • Vomiting

Salmonella symptoms typically appear between six hours and six days after exposure and can last up to a week.³

Significant health issues caused by Salmonella

Most salmonella infections are more inconvenient than dangerous, but they can be hazardous in some cases. Some of these health issues are¹⁻³:

  • Long-lasting diarrhea (up to several months)

  • Infection beyond the intestines, including:

    • Blood (bacteremia)

    • Blood vessel lining

    • Brain and spinal cord membranes (meningitis)

    • Bones (osteomyelitis), joints (septic arthritis)

    • Brinary tract (urinary tract infection)

  • Reactive arthritis, also called Reiter's syndrome

  • Severe dehydration

  • Sepsis

Death from Salmonella is rare but possible, particularly if you develop sepsis.

People over 65, under one, with compromised immune systems, or who have sickle cell disease are at a heightened risk of serious health issues after contracting Salmonella.²

Seeking medical treatment if you fall into these categories may be wise.

When to go to the doctor for Salmonella

Most people don't need to visit a doctor for Salmonella, but if your symptoms are severe, last a long time, or become concerning, it's time to make an appointment or (if needed) visit the emergency room. Consider seeking medical care if you experience the following¹,²:

  • Bloody stool

  • Bloody urine

  • Dehydration symptoms that you can't manage with at-home treatments

  • Dizziness upon standing

  • Fever above 102

  • Frequent vomiting

  • Symptoms for more than a few days

Your doctor will likely ask you questions about your illness, perform a physical exam, and take a stool sample to verify the diagnosis.¹,²

How Salmonella is treated

Many people can treat Salmonella infections at home with readily available products, but medical intervention may be necessary.

At-home remedies include, but may not be limited to²,⁵,⁷:

  • Drinking fluids that treat dehydration (water, Pedialyte, sports drinks, 100% fruit juice with water added, broth)

  • Anti-diarrheal (Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate); doctor approval recommended

    • Not for children under 12 without a doctor's approval

    • Do not use if you have bloody diarrhea, fever, or diarrhea lasting more than 2 days

  • Oral rehydration salts

  • Rest

Your doctor may prescribe the following treatments if at-home remedies aren't sufficient²,⁵,⁷:

  • IV fluids

  • Antibiotics (Azithromycin, Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole [TMP/SMX])

What to do with food that may have Salmonella

Generally speaking, you need to either return products that potentially have salmonella bacteria to the store or dispose of them appropriately, then thoroughly clean your kitchen⁸. However, some recall notices mandate different actions. The FDA's "Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts" includes a list of recalls and instructions for disposal.

  • No matter what, you need to clean your kitchen thoroughly⁸:

  • Wash all cookware and utensils (including cutting boards) with hot soapy water.

  • Clear off counters and refrigerator drawers and shelves and wash them with hot soapy water.

  • Then wipe any surfaces, shelves, or drawers and rinse dishes and cookware with a sanitizing solution and let them air dry. You can use a diluted bleach solution (1 TBSP unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water).

  • Products recalled due to an undeclared allergen may be a risk for anyone in your household with an allergy to that substance. If the product has never been served, throw it away or return it for a refund. If the product has been served, wash with soap and water any surfaces – plates, pots and pans, utensils, and counters – with which the product may have had contact.

Verbatim from FoodSafety.gov

FAQs About Recalls

Salmonella is a common reason for food recalls⁹. However, that's not the only reason products end up taken off the market. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about recalls, followed by a list of recent recalls related to Salmonella.

What is a recall?

The FDA defines a recall as "an action taken by a company to correct or remove from the market an FDA-regulated product that violates U.S. laws and regulations." If a company doesn't voluntarily recall an item, the FDA may tell them to do so.¹⁰

Recalls exist to protect Americans from injury, illness, and death due to problems with regulated products. They're relatively common, with over 83,000 recalls occurring just between 2014 and 2024.¹⁰

What types of things does the FDA recall?

The FDA may recall any products it regulates. FDA-regulated products include¹⁰:

  • Human food products

  • Animal food and feed

  • Cosmetics

  • Human drugs

  • Animal drugs

  • Medical devices

  • Radiation-emitting products

  • Vaccines

  • Blood and blood products

  • Transplantable human tissue

  • Tobacco products

Verbatim from the FDA website

Please note that every product you consider to be in the above categories may not be FDA-regulated and/or approved. The FDA's definition of cosmetics, for instance, doesn't necessarily cover every personal care item (including many soaps) or type of makeup.

Be sure to keep an eye out for recalls of any of the above products you may use, both from the FDA and the companies that produce them.

Why do things get recalled?

According to the FDA, common reasons for recalls are¹⁰:

  • Manufacturing defects;

  • Contamination with disease-causing microorganisms such as Salmonella, E. coli, etc.;

  • The presence of foreign objects such as broken glass, metal fragments or plastic;

  • Failure to list a major allergen;

  • Failure to list a certain ingredient;

  • Risk of erroneous results when a product is used as directed, e.g., diagnostic testing product results being inaccurate;

  • Non-sterile product intended to be sterile;

  • Adverse event reports;

  • Software corrections or updates.

Verbatim from the FDA website

How do I find out about food recalls?

You can typically find out about recalls from the news after they're announced by the FDA (check the Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page). Other ways to discover recent recalls are:

Helpful Resources Regarding Salmonella and Recalls

Recalls related to Salmonella (January to May 2025)

Find a complete list of products related to the FDA (for salmonella and other reasons) on the Administration's "Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts" page.

This is a list of FDA recalls related to Salmonella that were announced in 2025⁹. These may not be the only active recalls. This article was written on June 4, 2025.

ALWAYS check the sources, as there may be accidental errors in the list.

Isabelle's Kitchen Inc. Refrigerated Deli Salads with Fresh Cucumbers

Supreme Service Solutions LLC Cucumbers, Salads with Cucumbers, Vegetable Trays with Cucumbers

  • FDA Publish Date: May 28, 2025

  • Distribution dates: May 8 – May 21, 2025

  • Locations: Kroger and Kroger-affiliated retail stores Arkansas, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee; linked to larger salmonella outbreak in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia

  • Potential brand names: Supreme Produce

  • More information: Supreme Service Solutions LLC Voluntarily Recalls Supreme Vegetable Products Because of Possible Health Risk

The Coastal Companies Items With Fresh Start Cucumbers

Albertson Store-Made Deli Items With Cucumbers

Spectrum Brands Pet LLC Tetra ReptoMin 3-In-1 SELECT-A-FOOD

JFE Franchising, Inc. Cucumber and Sushi Products

  • FDA Publish Date: May 23, 2025

  • Distribution dates: Unclear; company initiated recall on May 20, 2025

  • Locations: Kroger, Roundy's (Pick n Save and Metro Market), and Weis Market in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

  • Potential brand names: Snowfruit, Snowfox

  • More information: JFE Franchising, Inc. Recalls A Limited Number of Cucumber Products Because Of Possible Health Risk

Walmart Marketside Fresh Cut Cucumber Slices (Texas)

PennRose Farms 5-Pound Mesh Bags of Whole Cucumbers

Big Y Foods Made-to-Order Subs, Wraps, and Paninis

Ukrop's Homestyle Foods Marinated Cucumber Salads

  • FDA Publish Date: May 22, 2025

  • Distribution dates: May 11 – May 26, 2025

  • Locations: Food Lion in North Carolina and Virginia; Harris Teeter in Williamsburg, Virginia; Kroger in Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia; Libbie Market in Richmond, Virginia; Ukrop's Market

  • Potential brand names: Ukrop's

  • More information: Ukrop's Homestyle Foods Announces Recall Due to Possible Health Risk

Bedner Growers, Inc. Cucumbers

  • FDA Publish Date: May 20, 2025

  • Distribution dates: April 29 – May 14, 2025

  • Locations: Bedner's Farm Fresh Market locations in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, and West Palm Beach, Florida; linked to larger salmonella outbreak in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia.

  • Potential brand names: N/A

  • More information: Bedner Growers, Inc. Recalls Cucumbers Because of Possible Health Risk

Advantage Health Matters Inc. Organic Traditions Organic Jumbo Pumpkin Seeds

Ray & Mascari Inc. 4-Count Vine Ripe Tomatoes

Williams Farm Repack LLC Tomatoes – H&C Farms Label

Blue Ridge Beef Puppy Mix and Kitten Mix

Turkana Food Inc. Aleppo Tahini Sesame Paste 1lb (16oz)

Blue Ridge Beef Natural Mix

Sources

1. Salmonella infection – symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. April 30, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/symptoms-causes/syc-20355329.

2. Salmonella. Cleveland Clinic. August 24, 2022. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15697-salmonella.

3. Symptoms of Salmonella Infection. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 4, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/signs-symptoms/.

4. Preventing Salmonella Infection. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 4, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/prevention/index.html.

5. Treatment of Salmonella Infection. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. October 11, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/treatment/index.html.

6. Get the Facts About Salmonella. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 16, 2023. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-about-salmonella.

7. Salmonella infection – diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. April 30, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/salmonella/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355335.

8. Recalls and outbreaks. FoodSafety.gov. July 29, 2022. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.foodsafety.gov/recalls-and-outbreaks.

9. Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. June 4, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

10. FDA 101: product Recalls. U.S. Food & Drug Administration May 5, 2025. Accessed June 4, 2025. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-product-recalls.

Sarah Mattie
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