If you've recently purchased a bag of trail mix from Target, you'll want to check the label. The popular Good & Gather brand has been swept up in a widening recall tied to a massive powdered milk contamination scare that now spans at least eight separate food recalls nationwide. John B. Sanfilippo & Son, the Illinois-based manufacturer behind several well-known snack brands, issued a voluntary recall for multiple trail mix and snack mix products — including Target's Good & Gather Mexican Street Corn Trail Mix — over concerns they may contain dry milk powder potentially contaminated with salmonella.
The recall is the latest ripple effect from an alarming food safety chain reaction that began in late April when California Dairies Inc. recalled more than 1.7 million pounds of bulk powdered milk and buttermilk after routine testing detected potential salmonella contamination. That ingredient has since made its way into seasonings and flavorings used across dozens of products sold at major retailers nationwide.
How the Recall Chain Unfolded: From Milk Powder to Snack Aisles
The contamination trail traces back to April 20, 2026, when California Dairies Inc. recalled its bulk powdered milk and buttermilk products. The FDA classified the recall as Class I, meaning there is a reasonable probability that exposure could cause serious adverse health consequences or even death. By early May, the contaminated milk powder had been incorporated into seasoning blends used by multiple food manufacturers.
John B. Sanfilippo & Son — the company behind Fisher nuts, Squirrel Brand snacks, and Southern Style Nuts — discovered that a third-party seasoning ingredient used in several of their products contained the recalled dry milk powder. Although the FDA noted that "the affected seasoning batches tested negative for salmonella prior to use," the company initiated the recall "as a precautionary measure."
The affected Good & Gather product is the 8-ounce Mexican Street Corn Trail Mix with lot number 6082GY5D and a specific best-by date. Target confirmed it removed the product from its stores and online inventory immediately. "At Target, we're committed to providing safe, high-quality products for our guests," a Target spokesperson told CBS News.
Other recalled snack products include Fisher Tex Mex Trail Mix, Fisher Gourmet Hunter Mix, Fisher Hunter Mix, Fisher Travelers Mix, Fisher Town & Country Mix, as well as similar varieties under the Southern Style Nuts and Squirrel Brand labels — all with best-by dates extending into 2027.
Timeline: How a Single Contaminated Ingredient Triggered a Nationwide Food Safety Crisis
Late March 2026: Routine testing at California Dairies Inc. detects potential salmonella contamination in powdered milk and buttermilk products.
April 20, 2026: California Dairies Inc. issues a voluntary recall of bulk powdered milk and buttermilk — totaling over 1.7 million pounds distributed nationwide to wholesale distributors and food manufacturers.
Late April – Early May 2026: Multiple food manufacturers discover the recalled milk powder was used as an ingredient in their seasonings and flavorings, triggering cascading recalls.
May 5-7, 2026: John B. Sanfilippo & Son issues a voluntary recall for Fisher, Squirrel Brand, Southern Style Nuts, and Target's Good & Gather snack mixes. The recall affects products distributed between July 1 and July 25, 2025, packaged in foil pouches inside corrugated boxes.
May 7, 2026: Target confirms it has removed the affected Good & Gather product from all stores and online sales.
May 11-13, 2026: The FDA publishes a consolidated list of at least eight separate recall actions linked to the California Dairies milk powder, including Utz chips, Ghirardelli beverage mixes, Giant Eagle pita chips, and more.
The Bigger Picture: What This Salmonella Scare Means for Food Safety
Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States, responsible for approximately 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually, according to the CDC. The bacterium can cause symptoms including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain within six hours to six days after exposure.
The FDA has emphasized that vulnerable populations face the highest risk. "Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," the agency warned in its recall notice. Pregnant women are also at elevated risk.
Beyond the snack mixes, the California Dairies milk powder has been linked to recalls affecting an unusually wide range of products. According to Delish, affected items include Ghirardelli powdered beverage mixes (hot cocoa and frappe products sold to food service customers), Utz and Zapp's potato chips, Giant Eagle Baked Pita Chips, Pork King Good pork rind seasonings, Wildlife Seasoning popcorn toppings, Williams Sonoma Fireworks Popcorn seasonings, and Stoltzfus Family Dairy cheese curds. This demonstrates how one contaminated ingredient can ripple through the entire food supply chain.
Notably, no illnesses have been reported in connection with any of these recalls to date, which the FDA attributes to early detection and rapid response.
Where Things Stand Now: Latest on the Ongoing Recall
As of mid-May 2026, the recall remains active. The FDA continues to update its consolidated list of affected products as new information emerges. Consumers who purchased any of the recalled items are urged not to consume them and to return them to the store of purchase for a full refund or replacement.
Target has already removed the affected Good & Gather product from its shelves and online store. For a complete list of all recalled products — including lot numbers, UPC codes, and best-by dates — consumers can visit the FDA's website or the specific recall notices posted by each manufacturer.
What Happens Next: The Road Ahead for Affected Brands and Consumers
Food safety experts predict the recall list may continue to grow as manufacturers trace the distribution of the contaminated milk powder through supply chains. The FDA and California Dairies Inc. are investigating the source of the contamination at the production facility level. For consumers, the key takeaway is to check pantry items against recall lists regularly, especially snack products purchased between July 2025 and the present.
Given the Class I classification of the original milk powder recall, health officials are taking an extremely cautious approach — every product that may have used the ingredient is being pulled from shelves, even when testing shows negative results. This conservative strategy helps prevent potential outbreaks before they start.
Key Takeaways: Everything You Need to Know
- What was recalled: Target's Good & Gather Mexican Street Corn Trail Mix (8 oz, lot 6082GY5D) plus Fisher, Squirrel Brand, and Southern Style Nuts snack mixes
- Why: Potential salmonella contamination linked to dry milk powder from California Dairies Inc.
- When to check: Products were distributed between July 1-25, 2025; best-by dates vary
- What to do: Do not eat the products — return them to the store for a full refund
- No illnesses reported as of mid-May 2026
- At least 8 separate recalls have been linked to the same contaminated milk powder ingredient
