Jonco Industries Recalls Certain White Cheddar Seasoning Products Over Possible Salmonella Contamination

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (May 12, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Jonco Industries, Inc. is recalling certain White Cheddar Seasoning products because of possible Salmonella contamination. According to the FDA, retailers sold the affected products under the Williams Sonoma and Fireworks Popcorn brands in limited quantities. Jonco Industries initiated the recall after learning that an upstream milk powder ingredient used in the seasoning products may pose a Salmonella contamination risk.

Jonco Industries recall: quick summary

According to the FDA, the recall affects multiple consumer-sized White Cheddar Seasoning products, including a Williams Sonoma Popcorn Sampler Gift Box and Fireworks Popcorn-branded seasoning items. The agency confirmed that the products may contain Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause severe illness in vulnerable populations, including young children, elderly consumers, and individuals with weakened immune systems. No illnesses have been reported so far. Jonco Industries said it has stopped distribution of the affected items and advised consumers not to consume the recalled products.

What happened?

The FDA said Jonco Industries initiated the recall after discovering a potential Salmonella concern connected to an upstream milk powder ingredient used in the seasoning products. The company told regulators it became aware of the issue after being notified by supplier JCB Flavors, which traced the concern to an ingredient sourced from California Dairies, Inc.

Jonco Industries announced the recall on May 7, 2026, in coordination with the FDA. According to the agency, retailers distributed the affected products in limited quantities through retail stores, including Williams Sonoma gift boxes and Fireworks Popcorn products sold at West Allis Cheese and Sausage.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The agency also noted that healthy individuals infected with Salmonella often experience “fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.”

Jonco Industries stated that it “immediately ceased distribution of the affected products, notified customers, and placed all remaining inventory on hold.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	Best by date	Issue	Affected states or zones
Williams Sonoma	Popcorn Sampler Gift Box with White Cheddar Seasoning	Gift box	Lot 088594-2-1	Potential Salmonella contamination	Limited U.S. retail distribution
Fireworks Popcorn	Poppings & Toppings Gift Set	Gift set	Lot 088594-5-1	Potential Salmonella contamination	Limited U.S. retail distribution
Fireworks Popcorn	White Cheddar Seasoning	1.6 oz jar	Lot 088594-7-1	Potential Salmonella contamination	Limited U.S. retail distribution

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, an upstream milk powder ingredient used during production may have contaminated the seasoning products with Salmonella. The agency confirmed that the contamination issue originated earlier in the supply chain, before the ingredient reached Jonco Industries’ seasoning manufacturing process.

Salmonella infections can range from mild to severe. Symptoms commonly include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. In more serious cases, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream and lead to complications such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis, or arthritis.

Young children, elderly adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness from Salmonella infection. Company officials said they had not received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled products at the time of the announcement.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not consume any recalled White Cheddar Seasoning products
• Return the affected products to the retailer for a refund
• Check packaging carefully for matching lot codes
• Inspect gift boxes and seasoning jars for affected labels
• Contact Jonco Industries at 414-449-2000 with questions or refund concerns

Behind the brand

Jonco Industries is a Milwaukee-based food manufacturer specializing in seasonings, snack ingredients, and flavor products for both retail and commercial markets. The company works with a network of suppliers and distributors to manufacture specialty food products sold under various consumer brands.

The company’s recall notice states that it has “ceased distribution of the affected product” and is working closely with suppliers and regulators following the contamination concern.

Other relevant recalls

This latest seasoning recall follows a broader pattern of food safety incidents involving Salmonella and dairy-based ingredients across the food industry. In recent months, several manufacturers have issued recalls tied to seasoning blends, snack coatings, powdered dairy ingredients, and snack products after contamination concerns emerged during supplier testing. Similar recalls have included Wildlife Seasoning Recalls Popping Topping – Sour Cream & Onion Seasoning Over Potential Salmonella Risk, Pork King Good Recalls Sour Cream & Onion Pork Rinds and Seasoning Over Potential Salmonella Risk, Utz Recalls Certain Zapp’s and Dirty Potato Chips Over Potential Salmonella Contamination, John B. Sanfilippo and Son Recalls Fisher, Southern Style Nuts, Squirrel Brand and Good & Gather Snack Mixes Over Salmonella Risk, FSIS Issues Health Alert for Meat and Poultry Products Over Possible Salmonella Contamination in Dairy Ingredients, and Ghirardelli Recalls Powdered Beverage Mixes Over Potential Salmonella Contamination.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the Jonco Industries recall highlights broader supply chain accountability challenges in the food industry.

“Food safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s about trust. Every recall reminds us how vital it is to maintain transparency, rigorous checks, and supplier accountability,” Mizrahi said.

Broader pattern

This is the latest in a series of Salmonella-related recalls affecting snack products and seasoning ingredients sold across U.S. retailers. Over the past year, food manufacturers have faced increased scrutiny over supplier verification practices and contamination controls involving powdered dairy ingredients, spices, and flavoring blends.

Industry analysts say upstream ingredient monitoring has become increasingly important as manufacturers rely on complex supplier networks spanning multiple production facilities.

Ensuring safe eats

The Jonco Industries recall shows how quickly contamination concerns can spread through modern food supply chains, especially when manufacturers use the same ingredients across multiple retail products. Companies can prevent these incidents by strengthening supplier verification systems, conducting consistent testing, and improving communication between manufacturers, distributors, and regulators.

Consumers who purchased the recalled products should stop using them immediately and return them for a refund. Companies throughout the food industry are also being reminded of the importance of traceability, FSQA oversight, and transparent recall procedures.

At Source86, we help food brands strengthen ingredient sourcing, private-label manufacturing, co-packing oversight, and supply chain transparency, enabling companies to respond quickly and responsibly when food safety concerns arise. Contact us.