Washington, D.C. — A nationwide food recall has been issued for a popular frozen pizza product sold at major retailers including Walmart, Costco and Target after concerns emerged over possible salmonella contamination linked to an ingredient used during production.
The recall affects specific Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread products distributed across the United States.
Recall Linked to Potential Salmonella Risk
According to a notice issued through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), manufacturer Champion Foods voluntarily recalled certain batches of the product after being alerted to a possible contamination issue involving milk powder.
The milk powder was reportedly supplied to a third-party manufacturer that produced a seasoning blend used in the company’s cheese sauce mixture.
Despite the concern, Champion Foods emphasized that no confirmed cases of illness have been reported.
“The recalled milk powder was supplied to a third-party manufacturer that provides a seasoning blend used in our 5 cheese sauce blend,” the recall notice stated.
The company added:
“To date, neither Champion Foods LLC nor our suppliers have received any reports of illness or injury related to these products.”
Products Included in the Recall
The recall applies to the following products:
- Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread Single Pack
- UPC: 8 70375 00511 1
- Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread 2 Pack
- UPC: 8 70375 00509 8
Consumers are encouraged to check packaging carefully if they recently purchased Motor City Pizza products from major retailers.
Because the products have sell-by dates extending into 2027, officials warn that some consumers may still have affected items stored in their freezers.
Major Retailers Impacted Nationwide
The recalled products were sold through numerous grocery and retail chains across the country.
Affected retailers include:
- Walmart
- Costco
- Target
- Kroger
- Publix
- Giant
- Grocery Outlet
- Jewel-Osco
- Schnucks
- Brookshire’s
- Meijer
- Food City
- Hy-Vee
Thousands Warned to Stay Out of California Waters as Dangerous Ocean Conditions Trigger Major Alert
Several distributors and wholesalers were also impacted as part of the broader recall effort.
Company Says Testing Showed No Contamination
Champion Foods stated that routine testing performed before production did not detect salmonella contamination in the seasoning blend used for the product.
However, the company decided to proceed with the recall as a precautionary measure.
“Routine testing conducted by the seasonings blend manufacturer prior to use in the production of the 5 Cheese Bread showed that the seasonings batches tested negative for Salmonella; however, we are taking action out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our customers.”
The recall is part of a larger food safety concern involving potentially contaminated milk powder that has already triggered recalls involving multiple products.
Symptoms Consumers Should Watch For
Health officials warn that salmonella infections can cause:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Loss of appetite
- Chills
Symptoms typically begin within six hours to six days after exposure and can last several days.
The FDA notes that severe infections are more likely among young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The recall notice further warned:
“In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis,” according to the recall notice.
Have you ever been affected by a food recall? Share your experience and tell us whether you regularly check recall alerts before consuming products in the comments below.
