Kroger Homestyle – Kroger-branded Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons are being recalled after milk powder used in the seasoning was potentially contaminated with Salmonella. The recall covers a 5 oz product sold in 17 states during a specific window in 2026, with best-by dates ran
When a jar of pantry staples turns into a health problem, it doesn’t always arrive with warning signs. This time, the concern centers on a familiar snack: Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons.
California-based Sugar Foods LLC is recalling some Kroger-branded Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons after the product used milk powder that may have been contaminated by Salmonella. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted the recall notice on Monday, May 18.
The milk powder was supplied by California Dairies, Inc., the same company linked to other recent Salmonella recalls.
Sugar Foods said in its FDA announcement that the affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use. Even so. the company said it is initiating the recall “out of an abundance of caution” because the milk powder was used in a seasoning ingredient supplied to Sugar Foods. Sugar Foods added that it had received no reports of illness at the time of the recall.
Only one product is included: the 5 oz Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons. The UPC number for affected products is 0 11110 81353 4. The recall covers multiple best-by dates, including:
Best by February 17, 2027
Best by February 18, 2027
Best by February 27, 2027
Best by February 28, 2027
Best by March 6, 2027
Best by March 9, 2027
Best by March 21, 2027
Best by April 1, 2027
Best by April 7, 2027
The products are past their best-by dates and no longer on store shelves. But consumers may still have them at home. Photos of the affected product are available in the FDA-linked material accompanying the recall.
Kroger stores sold the Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons between March 7, 2026, and April 7, 2026, across 17 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.
If you have the impacted Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons, the guidance is straightforward: discard the product. Sugar Foods can be reached at 332-240-6676 for questions.
The recall lands amid a wider wave of Salmonella-related issues involving brands that trace back to California Dairies. As of May 18. the full list of recalls tied to California Dairies includes: Sugar Foods (Cheese garlic croutons); Blackstone (Parmesan ranch seasoning); Williams Sonoma and Fireworks Popcorn (White cheddar seasoning); Stoltzfus Family Dairy (Sour cream and onion cheese curds); Wildlife Seasoning (Flavored popcorn seasoning); Giant Eagle (Pita chips with Parmesan. garlic. and herbs); Fisher. Southern Style Nuts. Squirrel Brand. and Good & Gather (Snack mixes); Pork King Good (Pork rinds and seasoning bottles); Zapp’s and Dirty (Potato chips); and Ghirardelli (Powdered beverage mix).
California Dairies has not responded to multiple requests for comments about the recalls.
For consumers, the question now shifts from packaging to symptoms. Salmonella infection can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Special care is advised for young children, the elderly, and anyone with a weakened immune system, since they face a greater risk of infection.
The Cleveland Clinic provides additional information on Salmonella infection symptoms.
Kroger recall Salmonella Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons Sugar Foods LLC FDA recall notice California Dairies food safety symptoms