Kroger recalling croutons because of Salmonella risk – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Food safety alerts like this one draw attention because pantry items often linger on shelves for months or years. The current action targets a specific variety of croutons sold under the Kroger brand and stems from an upstream ingredient concern that reached the seasoning stage. Shoppers across a wide region may still hold packages purchased weeks ago, given the products’ extended best-by dates that stretch well into 2027.
Where and When the Products Reached Stores
Distribution occurred from early March through early April 2026. The croutons arrived at Kroger locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. No other retailers or regions appear involved at this stage.
Because the items carry long shelf lives, health officials note that households could still possess unopened packages bought during that window. The recall focuses solely on the 5-ounce pouches and does not extend to other Kroger crouton varieties or sizes.
How the Ingredient Concern Arose
The issue traces to milk powder supplied by California Dairies Inc. That powder moved to Solina USA, which blended it into seasoning later applied by Sugar Foods LLC. The finished seasoning batches tested negative for Salmonella before use on the croutons, yet the supplier-initiated recall of the milk powder prompted this downstream action as a precaution.
Officials emphasize that the recall remains limited to the listed lots. No illnesses connected to these croutons have been reported so far, though investigators continue to monitor any new information that surfaces.
What Salmonella Exposure Can Mean
Salmonella bacteria do not alter the appearance, smell, or taste of food, which makes visual checks unreliable. Infection typically produces diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after consumption. Most healthy adults recover within four to seven days without medical intervention.
Infants, young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and anyone with a weakened immune system face higher chances of severe illness that may require hospital care. Some people carry the bacteria without symptoms yet can still pass it to others. Doctors rely on specific laboratory tests to confirm salmonellosis, as symptoms overlap with many other conditions.
Recommended Actions for Shoppers
Anyone who purchased the affected croutons should check the package for the exact best-by dates listed below and discard the product if it matches. The UPC code 0 11110 81353 4 appears on every recalled pouch.
| Product | Size | UPC | Best If Used By Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons | 5 oz | 0 11110 81353 4 | FEB 17 27, FEB 18 27, FEB 27 27, FEB 28 27, MAR 6 27, MAR 9 27, MAR 21 27, APR 1 27, APR 7 27 |
Consumers who experience symptoms after eating the product should contact a healthcare provider and mention the possible exposure. Retailers have already removed the items from shelves, and further updates will come from the companies or regulatory agencies as needed.
What matters now: Households should verify any remaining packages against the listed dates and dispose of matches rather than risk consumption.
The episode illustrates how ingredient-level recalls can ripple through finished goods even when intermediate testing shows no problems. Continued vigilance by both suppliers and consumers helps limit wider exposure while investigators determine whether additional steps are required.
