A wave of recalls affecting trail mixes, chips, frozen pizzas and drink mixes traces back to a recalled dry milk powder ingredient; consumers are urged to stop eating affected items and follow return or disposal guidance
The food industry has seen a cascade of product withdrawals after a supplier’s dry milk powder became tied to potential salmonella contamination. In a chain reaction beginning with a recall by California Dairies in April, manufacturers who used the powder in seasonings or blended ingredients have voluntarily removed dozens of products from store shelves.
Retailers and food makers have said that the implicated seasoning batches tested negative before use, but companies are acting cautiously because of the possibility that salmonella could still be present.
Why the recall expanded so quickly
The immediate cause is a single ingredient—nonfat, pasteurized and spray-dried milk sold as dry milk powder—that was supplied to food manufacturers and seasoning formulators.
Because that ingredient can be used in many applications, from powdered beverages to snack seasonings, a single supplier issue has rippled across categories. Companies such as John B. Sanfilippo & Son and Utz Quality Foods identified the affected seasonings and announced voluntary withdrawals.
Regulators and media outlets reported developments on May 7 and May 8, 2026, as the list of affected items grew.
Which products and retailers are involved
The range of recalled items is broad: snack mixes, flavored chips, powdered drink mixes and even certain frozen pizzas and cheese curds. Notable examples include Target’s Good & Gather Mexican Street Corn Trail Mix, several John B. Sanfilippo & Son products sold under brands like Fisher, Southern Style Nuts and Squirrel Brand, plus Utz/Zapp’s and Dirty chip flavors that used the suspect seasoning. Supermarket chains and big-box retailers including Target, Walmart, Aldi, Sam’s Club and online sellers have carried affected lots, with distribution reported across many states.
Notable product categories and examples
Beyond trail mixes and chips, manufacturers that use milk powder in dry blends issued recalls: Ghirardelli pulled multiple powdered beverage and frappe mixes, frozen pizza lines such as Mama Cozzi’s and Walmart’s Great Value chicken bacon ranch pizzas were flagged by USDA alerts, and specialty items like Stoltzfus Family Dairy cheese curds and Pork King Good pork rinds were also listed. Detailed lot numbers, UPCs and best-by dates have been posted by the FDA and USDA so consumers can verify specific packages.
Health risks and recommended actions for shoppers
Salmonella can cause foodborne illness with onset typically between 12 and 72 hours after ingestion. Symptoms commonly include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, and most healthy people recover within a week. However, young children, older adults and immunocompromised people face greater risk of severe illness, which can include high fever, dehydration or systemic infection. Public health advisories emphasize vigilance: if you experience worrying symptoms after eating a recalled item, seek medical advice promptly and mention possible salmonella exposure.
What to do if you bought an affected item
If you have a product listed in the FDA or USDA notices, do not eat it. Companies recommend either disposing of the item or returning it to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA pages include images and list UPC numbers, item numbers and best-by dates so shoppers can confirm whether their package is included. Even when tested batches were negative, recalls are precautionary—companies urge consumers to err on the side of safety.
Contacts and ongoing investigation
Manufacturers have provided customer service lines for questions; for example, John B. Sanfilippo & Son has a public contact number for consumer inquiries. Regulators continue to trace ingredient supply chains to determine whether additional products should be recalled. Officials cautioned that more announcements are possible as tracebacks and laboratory testing progress. Staying informed via the FDA, USDA and retailer websites is the best way to catch updates and follow official guidance.
