Kroger Recalls Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons Over Possible Salmonella Contamination

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (May 18, 2026) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Sugar Foods LLC recalled specific lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons because milk powder used in the product’s seasoning blend may contain Salmonella. According to the FDA, Kroger stores across 17 states distributed the recalled croutons between March and April 2026. Regulators said no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall so far.

Kroger recall: quick Summary

According to the FDA, Sugar Foods LLC initiated the recall after the company learned that milk powder in its ingredient supply chain could contain Salmonella. The company sold the affected Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in 5-ounce pouches with multiple “Best If Used By” dates ranging from February to April 2027. The agency confirmed that Kroger stores in states including Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Michigan, and Virginia distributed the recalled products. The FDA advised consumers not to eat the recalled croutons and instead dispose of them or return them to the store for a refund.

What happened?

The FDA said Sugar Foods LLC initiated the recall after discovering that milk powder used in a seasoning blend supplied to the company could potentially contain Salmonella. The ingredient was originally supplied by California Dairies, Inc. to seasoning manufacturer Solina USA, which then provided the seasoning blend to Sugar Foods.

Sugar Foods LLC announced the recall on May 15, 2026, in coordination with the FDA and Kroger. Regulators said testing did not detect Salmonella in the affected seasoning batches before use, but the company moved forward with the recall “out of an abundance of caution” after a supplier initiated its own recall.

In its recall alert, the FDA warned that “Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.” The agency also stated that “no illnesses have been reported to date.”

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Best by date	Issue	Affected states
Kroger	Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons	5 oz	0 11110 81353 4	Multiple dates from FEB 17 27 through APR 7 27	Potential Salmonella contamination	AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV

What caused the issue?

According to the FDA notice, the recall stems from potential Salmonella contamination associated with milk powder used in the seasoning blend applied to the croutons. Salmonella bacteria can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, the infection can spread into the bloodstream and lead to more serious illnesses such as arterial infections or endocarditis.

The agency confirmed that young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of severe illness. Company officials said no confirmed illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported at this time.

Questions you might have

Here’s what you should do

• Do not eat the recalled croutons
• Return the product to Kroger for a refund or dispose of it safely
• Check the UPC and “Best If Used By” dates printed on the package
• Contact Sugar Foods LLC at 332-240-6676 with questions or refund concerns

Behind the brand

Sugar Foods LLC operates as a U.S.-based food manufacturer that produces packaged foodservice products, including croutons, sweeteners, and salad toppings for retailers and restaurants nationwide. In its recall notice, the company said it voluntarily initiated the recall and continues to work closely with the FDA and supply chain partners after receiving the supplier notification.

Source86 reached out to Sugar Foods LLC for comment on how the contamination concern occurred, but has not yet received a response.

Other relevant recalls

Recent Salmonella-related recalls across the food industry have highlighted ongoing concerns about ingredient sourcing and supplier oversight. Similar recalls involving dairy powders, spices, and seasoning blends have affected packaged snack foods and ready-to-eat products over the past year, including Malazi Recalls Tahina Over Salmonella Contamination, Blackstone Recalls Parmesan Ranch Seasoning Over Possible Salmonella Health Risk, Jonco Industries Recalls Certain White Cheddar Seasoning Products Over Possible Salmonella Contamination, and Wildlife Seasoning Recalls Popping Topping – Sour Cream & Onion Seasoning Over Potential Salmonella Risk. These incidents continue to underscore how contamination concerns tied to shared ingredients or upstream suppliers can quickly impact multiple brands and product categories.

Eran Mizrahi, CEO of Source86, said the recall demonstrates the importance of visibility across food manufacturing networks.

“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 recall is the latest in a growing number of food safety alerts tied to ingredient suppliers rather than finished products themselves. Industry experts say recalls connected to powdered dairy ingredients and seasoning blends have become more common as supply chains grow more complex and interconnected.

Ensuring safe eats

The Sugar Foods recall underscores how a single ingredient concern can ripple through multiple layers of the food supply chain. Preventing contamination requires rigorous supplier verification, testing protocols, and traceability systems at every production stage. Consumers who purchased the recalled croutons should avoid consuming them and either dispose of the product or return it for a refund.

At Source86, we help food brands manage ingredient sourcing, FSQA oversight, and private label production with transparency and precision. We prepare supply chains to respond quickly when recalls happen. Contact us.