Walmart is pulling select frozen pizzas from stores after federal officials expanded a salmonella-related food recall connected to contaminated dry milk powder used in multiple products across the country.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced on May 1 that two Great Value pizzas sold at Walmart were added to the growing recall list. The affected products include Great Value Thin Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza and Great Value Stuffed Crust Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza.
According to federal investigators, the products were made with dry milk powder that had previously been recalled over potential salmonella contamination concerns. The agency said more “downstream products” tied to the ingredient supplier could still be identified as the investigation continues.
The recall originally centered around breakfast pizzas sold at Aldi under the Mama Cozzi’s label before expanding to include additional brands and products distributed nationwide.
In a statement shared with USA TODAY, a Walmart spokesperson said the company acted quickly after learning about the issue.
“We have issued a sales restriction and removed this product from our impacted stores,” the spokesperson added. “We are working with the supplier to investigate.”
So far, no illnesses have been confirmed in connection to the recalled pizzas. Still, health officials warn salmonella infections can become serious for children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and headaches. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms may appear anywhere from six hours to six days after eating contaminated food.
Federal officials are advising customers to either throw away the affected pizzas or return them to the store for a refund while investigators continue tracing products connected to the contaminated ingredient supply.
