Croutons Recalled Across 17 States for Potential Salmonella Contamination

**Kroger Cheese Garlic Croutons Recalled Amid Salmonella Concerns**

In a precautionary move, certain lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons have been recalled due to potential contamination with Salmonella, linked to a milk powder used in the product’s seasoning. The recall was announced on 18 May by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), drawing attention from health authorities and consumers alike.

The manufacturer, Sugar Foods LLC, issued the recall of specific 5-ounce pouches of the croutons, bearing the UPC code 0 11110 81353 4. The affected products have best-by dates ranging from 17 February 2027 to 7 April 2027. These were distributed to Kroger stores across 17 states, including Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia, between 7 March and 7 April 2026.

The recall arises following a separate announcement from California Dairies, Inc., which reported potential Salmonella contamination in its milk powder. Sugar Foods confirmed that the seasoning blend used in making the croutons included milk powder sourced from California Dairies, Inc. As a result, the company deemed it prudent to recall the affected croutons even though batches of the seasoning had tested negative for the bacteria before their use.

“Out of an abundance of caution, and in alignment with the ingredient supplier’s recall, we have decided to initiate this recall,” stated the company. They have confirmed that there are currently no reports of illnesses related to the recalled croutons or those of California Dairies, Inc.

Salmonella can pose serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups, including young children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Those infected may experience symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and various gastrointestinal issues, with severe cases leading to more serious complications.

Sugar Foods has encouraged consumers who purchased the affected croutons to reach out to them for further information or queries. They can be contacted directly at 332-240-6676.

This recall is part of a broader wave of similar alerts linked to California Dairies’ milk powder. Recently, Target also announced the recall of several snack mix products, including their Good & Gather Mexican Street Corn Trail Mix, due to the use of the potentially contaminated milk powder. The FDA noted that testing on the seasoning had returned negative results for Salmonella before production.

Other brands have been swept up in the recall wave, including certain products from Fisher and Squirrel Brand. As with the croutons, these products also utilised the recalled milk powder in their seasoning blends but so far have reported no related health incidents.

Similarly, Giant Eagle’s Baked Pita Chips, which employ a seasoning blend containing the problematic milk powder, were also part of a recall. Affected batches were distributed across various states, with the company advising customers not to consume the products while offering refunds or replacements.

To further complicate matters, Utz Quality Foods, LLC also recalled some varieties of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips due to the inclusion of the contaminated milk powder in their seasoning. The company assured consumers that testing had confirmed no Salmonella presence prior to use.

As these recalls unfold, consumers who have purchased affected products are urged to return them for a full refund or replace them. The situation serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the rapid responses of companies and regulatory bodies when potential health risks are identified.

For now, shoppers are advised to stay informed of any further developments and remain vigilant when it comes to food safety in light of these recalls.