Federal agencies identify two dozen products linked to powdered milk recall
- On May 21, federal agencies said roughly two dozen foods had been tied to a recalled dry milk ingredient, expanding a salmonella-related recall. - The most telling detail is that FDA and USDA said more downstream products could still be identified as the ingredient recall progresses. - Consumers can track added items on FDA recall notices and USDA FSIS public health alerts as companies update affected products.
Federal food-safety agencies are tracing a growing list of consumer products back to a recalled dry milk ingredient that may be contaminated with salmonella. FOX 5 DC reported on May 21 that about two dozen foods — including snack products, frozen pizzas and seasonings — had been identified by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said in an April 30 public health alert that additional downstream products were expected to be identified as the ingredient recall progressed. The recalls span multiple brands and categories because the milk powder was used in seasoning blends and other ingredients supplied to other manufacturers. ### Which products are being linked back to the milk powder? FOX 5 DC said the list now includes snack foods, frozen pizzas and seasoning products tied to the recalled dairy ingredient. The station reported that federal agencies have been identifying products as they are found, rather than issuing a single finished list. (fox5dc.com) John B. Sanfilippo & Son said on May 5 it was recalling flavored snack mix products sold under Fisher, Southern Style Nuts, Squirrel Brand and Good & Gather labels because a third-party seasoning supplier used the recalled dry milk powder. The company said the action followed California Dairies’ voluntary recall of dry milk powder. (fox5dc.com) Pork King Good also recalled certain sour cream and onion pork rind and seasoning products after a supplier warned of possible salmonella contamination in milk powder used in a seasoning blend, according to an FDA-posted notice summarized by FOX 5 DC. The company said no illnesses or injuries had been reported and internal testing had not found contamination in finished products. (fda.gov) ### Why are FDA and USDA both involved? USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said on April 30 it issued a public health alert for meat and poultry products containing FDA-regulated dairy ingredients that may be contaminated with salmonella. FSIS said it expected additional downstream products to be identified and would update the alert as more information became available. (fox5dc.com) FDA maintains the recall notices for many of the affected non-meat foods and ingredients, while USDA handles meat and poultry products that used the same recalled dairy component. FDA’s major product recalls page says recalls with significant downstream effects are grouped there to help consumers and industry track related events. (fsis.usda.gov) ### How did frozen pizzas and snack foods end up in the same recall chain? Frozen pizzas sold at Walmart and Aldi were among the products tied to the dry milk recall, according to a separate FOX 5 DC report. The station said the pizzas were made with cheese containing recalled dry milk powder. The common link is not the finished food category but the shared ingredient supply chain. (fda.gov) FDA and USDA are tracing products that used dairy ingredients or seasoning blends made with the recalled milk powder, which is why the affected list stretches from packaged snacks to prepared frozen foods. That is an inference based on the agencies’ notices and company recall statements. (fox5dc.com) ### What is the separate croutons recall? Sugar Foods LLC said on May 15 it was recalling certain lots of Kroger Homestyle Cheese Garlic Croutons in 5-ounce pouches because of possible salmonella contamination linked to milk powder used as an ingredient. The FDA notice identified the UPC as 0 11110 81353 4. (fsis.usda.gov) MLive reported that the croutons were sold in 17 states and that no illnesses had been reported. The company said it announced the recall after learning that a seasoning blend used on the croutons contained milk powder that had since been recalled. ### What should consumers watch next? (fda.gov) FDA says recall notices and safety alerts are posted on its recalls page, while FSIS said consumers should check back frequently as the ingredient recall develops. Both agencies are continuing to identify products that used the recalled milk powder. The next updates are likely to come through new FDA recall notices, revised company announcements and additions to USDA public health alerts. (mlive.com) As of May 21, FOX 5 DC reported the list was still expanding and federal agencies were still checking for other potentially contaminated products. (fox5dc.com) (fda.gov)
