Croutons sold at Kroger have been urgently recalled over potential salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Friday that certain lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons, produced by Sugar Foods LLC, contained a recalled dry milk powder. This ingredient was recalled in April due to possible contamination with salmonella, a bacterium that causes food poisoning.
Details of the Recall
According to Sugar Foods LLC, the affected milk powder was supplied by California Dairies, Inc. to seasoning supplier Solina USA, which incorporated it into the seasoning blend used on the croutons. The company stated that the affected seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella before use, but the recall is being issued out of an abundance of caution. No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recalled croutons were packaged in five-ounce pouches with UPC 0 11110 81353 4 and Use By Dates between February 17, 2027, and April 7, 2027. The bags were distributed from March 7, 2026, to April 7, 2026, to Kroger stores in 17 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers are advised to dispose of the affected products immediately or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. The FDA notes that salmonella infections can cause symptoms within 12 to 72 hours after consuming contaminated food. Symptoms typically last four to seven days and may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Severe infections can lead to high fever, headaches, lethargy, rash, or blood in urine or stool.
Other Recalls Linked to Contaminated Milk Powder
The croutons are not the only products affected by the recalled dry milk powder. Last month, Ghirardelli recalled dozens of its hot cocoa and frappe mixes made with the same ingredient. Earlier this month, several frozen pizzas were recalled, including Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Pizza and Biscuit Crust Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles, Cooked Bacon Topping, Pepper & Onion Breakfast Pizza, sold at Aldi stores nationwide. Three Great Value frozen pizzas—Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch, Ultra Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Stuffed Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch—were also recalled, all sold at Walmart stores. Additionally, Good and Gather’s Mexican Street Corn Trail Mix, sold at Target stores, was recalled due to the same contamination risk.
