Full Breakdown
Nationwide Recall of Snack Products Linked to Contaminated Milk Powder
5/13/2026, 11:50:07 AM
Recall Overview
On April 20 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a voluntary recall of dozens of snack items after powdered milk and buttermilk supplied by California Dairies, Inc. were found to pose a possible Salmonella risk. The products, sold nationwide, have been removed from store shelves.
Background & Alerts
FSIS issued a public-health alert on April 30 for meat and poultry items that contain the same dairy ingredient. Both agencies stress that the recall is precautionary; most finished products have tested negative for the bacteria.
Affected Products
The recall covers at least 15 brands, including Ghirardelli chocolate powders, Fisher Tex-Mex trail mix, Southern Style Nuts blends, Squirrel Brand mixes, Good & Gather Mexican Street Corn mix, Zapp’s and Dirty chips, Pork King Good pork rinds, popcorn seasonings (Williams Sonoma, Fireworks) and frozen pizzas (Great Value, Mama Cozzi’s). Many items bear best-by dates through 2027.
Timeline
April 20 – California Dairies recalls the milk powder. April 30 – FSIS alert. May 1 – FDA adds Great Value pizzas. Early May – multiple snack-mix and popcorn-seasoning recalls. May 12 – expanded list reported.
Health Risks
Salmonella typically causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea and vomiting within six hours to six days. Illness lasts four to seven days, but severe cases may require hospitalization, especially for infants, seniors and immunocompromised persons.
Official Statements & Agency Responses
The FDA says no illnesses have been confirmed. FSIS warns that contaminated dairy may still be in home freezers. The CDC advises anyone with severe symptoms to seek care. Companies say they halted distribution as a precaution.
Criticism & Concerns
Testing of many finished products did not detect Salmonella, raising questions about whether the recall’s breadth matches the actual risk.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
A separate Spring & Mulberry chocolate recall involves a different supplier, and its link to the California Dairies case is unclear. Sources differ on whether twelve or dozens of items are affected.
Verbatim Quotes
- "the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized," — Food Safety and Inspection Service
- "out of an abundance of caution" — Legacy Snack Solutions
- "no reported illnesses or adverse health effects connected to the recalled products so far." — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- "salmonella infections can sometimes become severe enough to require hospitalization, particularly for infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems." — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
What’s Next
Consumers should discard or return recalled items and contact manufacturers for refunds. Federal agencies will keep monitoring the supply chain, update the product list as new data emerge, and issue further alerts if needed.
