Shoppers in 17 states who purchased Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons should check their pantries after Sugar Foods LLC issued a voluntary recall over potential salmonella contamination.
The Westlake Village, California-based company is recalling certain lots of the 5-ounce pouches, sold under UPC code 0 11110 81353 4, due to possible salmonella contamination linked to milk powder used as an ingredient in the product.
The affected milk powder was supplied by California Dairies Inc. to seasoning supplier Solina USA, which in turn supplied the seasoning blend to Sugar Foods. The company noted the affected seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella prior to use.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The crouton recall is part of a broader wave of product withdrawals stemming from California Dairies Inc. The dairy cooperative recalled bulk powdered milk and buttermilk on April 20, 2026, after concerns arose about potential salmonella contamination. The FDA has been working with downstream companies to determine whether additional recalls are necessary and is tracking all affected products on its major recall page for the California Dairies ingredient recall.
What products are included in the recall?
The recall covers 5-ounce pouches of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons with the following “Best If Used By” dates: Feb. 17, 2027; Feb. 18, 2027; Feb. 27, 2027; Feb. 28, 2027; March 6, 2027; March 9, 2027; March 21, 2027; April 1, 2027; and April 7, 2027.
The products were distributed between March 7 and April 7, 2026, to Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
What should consumers do?
Consumers who purchased a recalled lot should not eat the product. Those with questions may contact Sugar Foods LLC directly at 332-240-6676, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
This article was constructed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and published by a member of The Washington Times' AI News Desk team. The contents of this report are based solely on The Washington Times' original reporting, wire services, and/or other sources cited within the report. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Steve Fink, Director of Artificial Intelligence, at sfink@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.