Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

05/18/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/18/2026 16:34

Recall - Kroger (Cheese and Garlic Croutons) produced by Sugar Foods, LLC. - Due to potential for Salmonella contamination.

Summary

Company Announcement Date: May 15, 2026 FDA Publish Date: May 18, 2026 Product Type: Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness Reason for Announcement:
Recall Reason Description
Due to potential for Salmonella contamination.
Company Name: Sugar Foods, LLC. Brand Name:
Brand Name(s)
Kroger
Product Description:
Product Description
Cheese and Garlic Croutons

Company Announcement

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA - May 15, 2026 - Sugar Foods LLC is recalling certain lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons, 5oz pouches, UPC 0 11110 81353 4 due to the potential for Salmonella contamination associated with milk powder used as an ingredient in the product. 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. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella may experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

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. The affected seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella prior to use.

This action follows a third-party supplier-initiated recall by California Dairies, Inc. due to concerns regarding potential Salmonella contamination in milk powder. Out of an abundance of caution, and because this milk powder was used in a seasoning ingredient supplied to Sugar Foods, the company is initiating this recall. Sugar Foods is recalling this product based on the ingredient supplier's recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall is limited to specific lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons with the following:

PRODUCT

SIZE

UPC

USE BY DATE

Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons

5 oz

0 11110 81353 4

BEST IF USED BY FEB 17 27
BEST IF USED BY FEB 18 27
BEST IF USED BY FEB 27 27
BEST IF USED BY FEB 28 27
BEST IF USED BY MAR 6 27
BEST IF USED BY MAR 9 27
BEST IF USED BY MAR 21 27
BEST IF USED BY APR 1 27
BEST IF USED BY APR 7 27

The products were distributed between March 7, 2026 to April 7, 2026, to Kroger stores located in the following states: AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO, MS, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI & WV.

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 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

This recall is being conducted in coordination with FDA.

Company Contact Information

Consumers: Sugar Foods LLC 332-240-6676
Media: Ms. Krista Locke 805-396-5000

Product Photos

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services published this content on May 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on May 18, 2026 at 22:34 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]