Kroger Crouton Recall Highlights Salmonella Food Safety

What Products Are Included In The Kroger Crouton Recall?

The recall, posted by the FDA as a company announcement, involves certain Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons sold in 5-ounce pouches. The affected packages carry UPC 0 11110 81353 4 and specific best-if-used-by dates in February, March, and April 2027. The products were distributed to Kroger stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

The concern traces back to milk powder used in a seasoning ingredient. According to the company announcement, the recall was initiated after a supplier recall related to possible Salmonella contamination. This is a precautionary food safety action rather than confirmation that finished croutons caused illness; the FDA notice stated that no illnesses had been reported at the time it was posted.

Why Is Salmonella A Serious Food Safety Risk?

CDC estimates that Salmonella causes about 1.35 million infections in the United States each year, with contaminated food responsible for most cases. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and CDC guidance says illness usually begins 6 hours to 6 days after exposure and often lasts 4 to 7 days.

Most healthy adults recover without antibiotics, but Salmonella is not a trivial infection. Young children, adults 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems, and people with certain underlying medical problems are more likely to develop severe illness. In rare cases, Salmonella can move beyond the intestines into the bloodstream or other body sites, requiring urgent medical care.

What Should Consumers Do If They Bought The Recalled Croutons?

Anyone who recently bought Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons should compare the package size, UPC, and best-if-used-by date with the FDA recall notice. If the package matches the recalled lots, it should not be eaten, served, donated, or used in prepared foods such as salads, casseroles, soups, or stuffing mixes.

Food safety steps matter because dry pantry foods can still spread contamination through hands, counters, utensils, and storage bins. Consumers should discard or return affected products as directed, wash hands after handling the package, and clean surfaces or containers that may have touched the croutons. People who develop severe diarrhea, bloody stool, persistent vomiting, dehydration, or fever after possible exposure should contact a healthcare professional.