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Consumers across the United States are being urged to check their freezers after a nationwide recall was announced for specific batches of Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread products. The recall affects items sold through several major retail chains, including Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Target, Publix, Meijer, and many others.
The recall was initiated after concerns emerged regarding a dry milk powder ingredient that may have been contaminated with Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause foodborne illness. Although no illnesses have been reported in connection with the affected products, the manufacturer has chosen to take precautionary action to protect consumer health.
The announcement has drawn significant attention because of the widespread distribution of the recalled products and the potential health risks associated with Salmonella exposure, particularly among vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Why the Motor City Pizza Co. Cheese Bread Products Were Recalled
According to information released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall stems from a dry milk powder ingredient previously recalled by California Dairies, Inc. in April due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Champion Foods LLC, the company behind Motor City Pizza Co., explained that the recalled milk powder was supplied to an outside manufacturer responsible for producing a seasoning blend used in the company’s 5 Cheese Sauce Blend.
The company stated that routine testing performed by the seasoning manufacturer before production showed no evidence of Salmonella contamination in the seasoning batches. Despite those negative test results, Champion Foods decided to initiate a voluntary recall after learning that the milk powder ingredient used in the seasoning blend had been included in an earlier recall.
The company emphasized that the action was taken out of an abundance of caution and reflects its commitment to maintaining consumer safety and confidence.
The Supply Chain Connection Behind the Recall
Food recalls often involve complex supply chains where a single ingredient can be used in multiple products manufactured by different companies.
In this case, the recalled dry milk powder was not directly added by Champion Foods. Instead, it was incorporated into a seasoning blend supplied by a third-party manufacturer. While testing did not identify Salmonella in the finished seasoning, the presence of a previously recalled ingredient prompted the company to remove potentially affected products from the marketplace.
This precautionary approach is common within the food industry when there is even a possibility that contaminated ingredients could have entered the production process.
Which Motor City Pizza Co. Products Are Included in the Recall?
The recall specifically affects two Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread products.
Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread Single Pack
UPC Code: 8 70375 00511 1
Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread 2 Pack
UPC Code: 8 70375 00509 8
Consumers should carefully inspect packaging for these UPC codes and verify the sell-by dates printed on the front of the box.
Affected Sell-By Dates
The recalled products include packages with sell-by dates ranging from:
February 3, 2027
Through
April 21, 2027
Any product matching the listed UPC codes and date range should be considered part of the recall and should not be consumed.
Retailers That Sold the Recalled Products
The affected cheese bread products were distributed nationwide through a broad network of grocery stores, wholesalers, and warehouse clubs.
Retailers that may have sold the recalled items include:
Walmart
One of the nation’s largest retailers, Walmart carried the affected Motor City Pizza Co. products in stores across the country.
Costco
Costco members should pay special attention to the recall notice because the affected product was sold through Costco warehouses between February 6, 2026, and May 29, 2026.
The Costco item can be identified using item number 1453434.
Additional Retailers Included in the Recall
The recalled products were also distributed through:
Giant Landover
Grocery Outlet
Jewel
Kroger
Schnucks
Target
C&S Wholesale Grocers
Bozzuto’s
Brookshire Grocery
Meijer
Food City
KeHe
Lipari Foods
Publix
Merchants Distributors
PDI/Hy-Vee
River Valley Cooperative
SpartanNash
Supervalu
UNFI
Because of the extensive distribution network, consumers in nearly every region of the United States could potentially have purchased the affected products.
What Is Salmonella and Why Is It Dangerous?
Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. The bacteria can contaminate a wide variety of foods, including dairy products, meat, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and processed foods.
When contaminated food is consumed, the bacteria can infect the digestive tract and lead to symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe illness.
Common Symptoms of Salmonella Infection
According to health authorities, symptoms generally begin between 12 and 72 hours after consuming contaminated food.
Common symptoms include:
Diarrhea
Fever
Abdominal cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Headache
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
For many healthy individuals, symptoms typically last four to seven days and resolve without medical treatment.
High-Risk Groups Face Greater Dangers
While most healthy adults recover naturally, Salmonella infections can become serious in certain populations.
Individuals at higher risk include:
Young children
Older adults
Pregnant women
People with weakened immune systems
Individuals undergoing cancer treatment
People with chronic illnesses
In severe cases, the infection can spread beyond the intestines and enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to hospitalization or life-threatening complications.
Have Any Illnesses Been Reported?
At the time the recall was announced, no illnesses linked to the affected Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread products had been reported.
This is an important aspect of the recall because it demonstrates that companies and regulators often act before confirmed illnesses occur.
Food safety experts encourage consumers to take recalls seriously even when no illnesses have been identified. Preventive recalls are designed to stop potential outbreaks before they begin.
By removing products from store shelves and notifying consumers early, companies can significantly reduce public health risks.
What Should Consumers Do If They Have the Recalled Product?
Consumers who purchased the affected cheese bread products should avoid eating them.
Instead, they should:
Check product packaging for the UPC code.
Verify the sell-by date.
Dispose of the product safely or return it to the retailer.
Contact the manufacturer if additional information is needed.
Champion Foods LLC has encouraged customers to contact the company directly regarding questions about the recall.
Costco Members Can Receive Refunds
Costco members who purchased the recalled product can return it to their local Costco warehouse for a full refund.
Many retailers participating in recall efforts may also provide guidance on returns or reimbursements.
Other Products Affected by the Recalled Milk Powder
The Motor City Pizza Co. recall is not the only food safety action linked to the recalled dry milk powder.
In May, another recall involved certain lots of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch Seasoning. Those products were sold through Walmart stores nationwide as well as through the manufacturer’s website.
The seasoning products also contained the dairy ingredient connected to the earlier California Dairies recall.
This highlights how a single contaminated ingredient can impact multiple brands and product categories throughout the food industry.
Why Ingredient Recalls Can Spread Across Multiple Brands
Modern food manufacturing relies on shared suppliers and ingredients.
A single ingredient producer may supply hundreds of manufacturers nationwide. When a contamination concern arises, companies must determine where that ingredient was used and assess potential risks.
As a result, one ingredient recall can trigger a chain reaction affecting numerous products sold under different brand names.
This interconnected system helps explain why consumers occasionally see multiple recalls tied to a single supplier issue.
The Importance of Food Safety Monitoring
Food recalls play a critical role in protecting public health. Although recalls can create inconvenience for consumers and businesses, they serve as an essential safeguard against widespread foodborne illness outbreaks.
Routine testing, supplier monitoring, ingredient traceability, and regulatory oversight all contribute to identifying potential risks before they become larger public health emergencies.
In this case, testing reportedly did not detect Salmonella in the seasoning blend used by Champion Foods. Nevertheless, the company’s decision to proceed with a recall reflects the food industry’s increasingly cautious approach toward potential contamination concerns.
Final Thoughts on the Motor City Pizza Co. Recall
The nationwide recall of Motor City Pizza Co. 5 Cheese Bread products serves as an important reminder for consumers to stay informed about food safety alerts and regularly review recall announcements.
Although no illnesses have been reported, the recall was initiated because an ingredient used in the products was connected to an earlier milk powder recall involving potential Salmonella contamination. Out of caution, Champion Foods LLC removed the affected products from the market to minimize any possible risk to consumers.