No illnesses have been linked to a recall of Kroger Cheese and Garlic Croutons due to potential salmonella contamination that was announced this week by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
Following a recall from Westlake Village, Calif.-based Sugar Foods, LLC, last week, the FDA published the recall notice Monday. According to the announcement, milk powder used as an ingredient in the croutons is the source of the potential contamination.
“The affected milk powder was supplied by California Dairies, Inc. to our seasoning supplier, Solina USA, and incorporated into the seasoning blend that Sugar Foods purchases from Solina USA and applies to the croutons,” Sugar Foods explained. “The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use.”
Sugar Foods is recalling its croutons with the milk powder “out of an abundance of caution,” the recall notice said.
Salmonella are bacteria that can cause illness if swallowed. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are around 1.35 million salmonella infections in the U.S. every year.
Infection can cause watery diarrhea that might have blood or mucus and stomach cramps that can be severe. Other symptoms can include headache, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. These symptoms usually start within six hours to six days of infection and last for four to seven days. Dangerous complications include dehydration, spreading infection, reactive arthritis and long-lasting diarrhea and it especially risky for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons impacted by the recall were sold in 5-ounce packages with UPC 0 11110 81353 4. Best if used by dates on the packages included Feb. 17, Feb. 18, Feb. 27, Feb. 28, March 6, March 9, March 21, April 1 and April 7 of 2027.
The packages were distributed between March 7 and April 7 of this year to Kroger stores located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
“Consumers who purchased one of the recalled crouton lots listed above may contact Sugar Foods LLC directly at 332-240-6676 for questions or more information seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” said the recall notice.
