These frozen pizzas sold at Walmart and Aldi are part of a USDA alert tied to a recalled ingredient. Here's what to check in your freezer.
Frozen pizza is usually the kind of dinner you don’t have to think twice about. But a new alert from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is a good reason to double-check your box before it goes in the oven.
Several frozen pizzas sold at Walmart and Aldi are included in an alert due to possible salmonella contamination. The issue is tied to a recall involving dry milk powder used as an ingredient. In addition to certain Walmart and Aldi pizzas, this recall also affects a frozen pizza sold under the Culinary Circle brand and a pork rind product.
What caused the alert?
According to the FSIS, the issue began after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled dry milk powder over possible salmonella contamination. That ingredient was then used in meat and poultry products regulated by the USDA. As a result, the finished products may also be contaminated.
The products themselves aren’t being recalled, but they’re included in the alert because they were made with the recalled ingredient. The FSIS also notes that more products could be identified as the ingredient recall continues.
There have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to these products.
What stores sold the products?
The affected items were distributed nationwide and sold at major retailers, including Aldi and Walmart.
Some of the products were sold under store brands, including Walmart’s Great Value line and Aldi’s Mama Cozzi’s pizzas. The alert also includes a Culinary Circle frozen pizza, which is a brand sold at select regional grocery stores, and a pork rind product from the brand Pork King.
Because this alert is tied to a recalled ingredient used across multiple products, additional items may be identified as the investigation continues.
The FSIS has published a full list of affected products, along with label images and establishment numbers, to help consumers identify them.
How do I know if I have a recalled product?
The FSIS product list includes specific sizes, best-by dates, lot codes, establishment numbers and production dates. The USDA health alert links to label images, so you can compare the packaging in your freezer with the products in the alert.
According to the FSIS, affected products include:
Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Pizza
- Size: 18.5 ounces
- Best-by dates include: October 15, 21, 22, 23 and 24
- Establishment number: 5699
Mama Cozzi’s Biscuit Crust Cooked Pork Belly Crumbles, Cooked Bacon Topping, Pepper & Onion Breakfast Pizza
- Size: 17.15 ounces
- Best-by dates include: October 15, 21, 22, 23 and 24
- Establishment number: 5699
Pork King Good Sour Cream & Onion Pork Rinds
- Size: 1.75-ounce bags
- Best-by dates include: June 30, July 14, 20 and 26, and August 4, 5, and 12
- Establishment number: 1321
Pork King Party Size Sour Cream & Onion Pork Rinds
- Size: 7-ounce bags
- Best-by dates include: July 7, July 23 and August 10
- Establishment number: 1321
Culinary Circle Ultra Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch
- Size: 16.4 ounces
- Best-if-used-by date: October 18
- Lot code: WC103309
Great Value Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch
- Size: 17.55 ounces
- Best-if-used-by dates: October 9 and November 7
- Lot codes: WC103203 or WC103803
Great Value Stuffed Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch
- Size: 23.1 ounces
- Best-if-used-by dates: October 25 and 26, November 8 and December 9
- Lot codes: WC104173, WC104065, WC103793 or WJ100977
To confirm whether you have one of these products:
- Check the product name and packaging
- Compare it with the product list and label images on the FSIS website
- Look for matching details like establishment numbers, production dates or best-by dates printed on the packaging
If you’re unsure, it’s safest not to eat the product until you can confirm it’s not included.
What should I do next?
If you have any of the affected products, do not eat them. The FSIS advises consumers to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Retailers are also advised not to sell or serve the products.
Salmonella can cause symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps and fever, usually within six hours to six days after exposure. Most people recover without treatment, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.
If you think you may have become sick after eating one of these products, contact a healthcare provider.
