The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert Thursday for a range of meat and poultry products containing dairy ingredients, citing a risk of salmonella contamination. The alert stems from an FDA discovery that several manufacturers received dry milk powder that had been recalled.
Although no illnesses have been confirmed so far, the FSIS warns that the potential for infection remains. Salmonella symptoms—including diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps—typically appear six hours to six days after exposure, according to the CDC. Most people recover without treatment within a week, but young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals may face more severe outcomes requiring hospitalization.
The affected products include Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Pizza, Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles Breakfast Pizza, Pork King Good Sour Cream & Onion Pork Rinds (both 1.75 oz and 7 oz party size), Culinary Circle Ultra Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, and three varieties of Great Value Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza. All were sold nationwide except the Culinary Circle pizza, which was distributed only in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
The FSIS expects more products to be added as the ingredient recall expands. Consumers are urged to check their freezers and pantries for the listed items, which have specific lot codes and best-by dates detailed on the agency’s website. Anyone in possession of these products should discard them or return them to the place of purchase.
This alert comes amid broader food safety concerns that have drawn attention to regulatory oversight. In recent months, a drug-resistant salmonella outbreak linked to backyard poultry sickened 34 people, highlighting ongoing challenges in controlling foodborne pathogens. The FSIS investigation into the dry milk powder supply chain is ongoing.
The CDC notes that salmonella infections can only be diagnosed through laboratory tests of stool, body tissue, or fluids. While most cases resolve on their own, severe infections may require medical intervention. The public health alert underscores the importance of vigilance in food handling and storage, particularly for vulnerable populations.
As federal agencies continue to monitor the situation, consumers are advised to stay informed through official channels. The FSIS will update its list of affected products as new information becomes available.
