FSIS Public Health Alert: Check Meat & Poultry Products Made With Dairy Ingredients That May Contain Salmonella
USDA FSIS has issued a public health alert for certain downstream meat and poultry products that contain FDA-regulated dairy ingredients that may be contaminated with Salmonella. If you have any of the affected items in your fridge or freezer, do not eat them. Discard or return them as directed, especially if you have higher-risk family members at home.
Why this matters for families: Salmonella can make people sick, and risk is higher for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weakened immune system. The safest move is to double-check what you bought before anyone has a taste.
Do this now (consumer action steps)
- Do not consume the potentially affected meat or poultry product.
- Discard or return the item to the place of purchase, following the instructions on the FSIS public health alert.
- Do not sell or serve the product to others.
- Keep children, older adults, and immunocompromised household members away from any leftovers until you’ve confirmed whether the item is affected.
How to check your package (what to look for)
FSIS’s alert points shoppers to the specific affected-product list/identifiers and labeling details on the official page. Since products can vary by brand and formulation, don’t rely on a general description like “made with dairy.” Instead, compare what you have at home against the identifiers referenced on the FSIS alert.
Here’s a practical way to check:
- Find the label details on the package (for example, brand and any product identifiers provided).
- Use the FSIS affected-product information to see whether your exact item is included.
- If you can’t confirm it quickly, use the safest approach: treat it as potentially affected until you verify with the FSIS list on the alert page.
Important: The alert notes that additional products could be added as the ingredient-recall/verification process continues. So if you checked once already, it may be worth re-checking later if the FSIS page is updated.
If you already ate some
If someone ate a product that might be affected, the next step is to stop eating the remaining amount. For concerns about symptoms, it’s reasonable to contact a healthcare professional, especially for higher-risk family members.
While you’re waiting, you can also do a “kitchen pause”:
- Do not taste leftovers “just to be sure.”
- Prevent more exposure by keeping the item and its utensils separated from other foods.
If anyone got sick: report it
If you believe someone became ill after consuming an affected product, FSIS asks consumers to report the incident using its electronic consumer complaint form (eCCF). Filing a report helps provide information to food-safety investigators and supports ongoing public health actions.
You can submit an electronic complaint/incident report through FSIS eCCF.
Leftovers & cleanup: safer handling at home
Even when you’re careful, Salmonella risk is about what may be present in the food—not about whether it “looks fine.” Until you confirm whether the product is affected, handle the situation like it could be contaminated.
- Separate utensils and containers used with the potentially affected product.
- Wash hands with soap and water after touching the product or cleanup area.
- Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces (countertops, sink areas, fridge door handles) where juices or drips could have landed.
- Don’t reuse plates, cutting boards, or utensils until they’re been properly washed.
If you discard or return the product, keep the rest of your food moving safely—use clean utensils and containers for everything else in the fridge or freezer.
What to expect next
Public health alerts can evolve as investigators match downstream products to the potentially contaminated dairy ingredients. FSIS may update the affected list and clarify which products shoppers should check. The best habit is simple: check the FSIS alert page for the affected list if you bought meat or poultry that could include dairy ingredients.
Bottom line: Find your product label details, compare them to the FSIS affected-product information, and if it matches—don’t eat it. Discard or return it, and report any illness using FSIS eCCF.
