The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall for more than 4,000 cases of salad dressings and sauces produced by Ventura Foods due to potential contamination with black plastic pieces.
The recall affects products distributed at popular retailers including Costco and Publix. The action, initiated on November 6, was prompted by the discovery of foreign material in the form of black plastic in granulated onion used as an ingredient, posing a choking hazard to consumers.
Recalled products include Monarch Italian Salad Dressing, Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip, Ventura Caesar Dressing, Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing, Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing, Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce, Costco Service Deli Caesar Dressing, Costco Food Court Caesar Dressing, and Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch.
The affected products were distributed to delis, food courts, and food service locations across 27 states, including Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, as well as other locations throughout the country.
The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, indicating that the products are unlikely to cause serious health effects but should not be consumed out of abundance of caution.
Consumers are advised to dispose of the affected products or return them to the place of purchase for a refund. The FDA’s recall notice was posted on the Enforcement Reports page, and no injuries have been reported to date.
The 4,000-case volume represents substantial product distribution across retail and food service channels. Commercial-scale food production means contamination incidents can affect large quantities before detection occurs.
The black plastic contamination in granulated onion indicates a supplier issue rather than a problem with Ventura Foods’ own manufacturing. Ingredient suppliers provide components used across multiple product lines, explaining why the recall covers diverse dressing types.
The choking hazard classification reflects the size and rigidity of plastic pieces that could obstruct airways if swallowed. While serious injury remains unlikely, the hazard justifies recall action to prevent potential incidents.
The November 6 initiation date means potentially contaminated products had several weeks of shelf life before recall announcement. Consumers who purchased affected items in recent weeks should check their refrigerators.
The variety of recalled products, spanning Italian, ranch, Caesar, and barbecue sauce styles, demonstrates how a single contaminated ingredient can affect multiple product lines. Granulated onion appears as a common component across these diverse formulations.
The distribution to delis, food courts, and food service locations means affected products may have been served to customers at retail establishments rather than only sold for home use. Restaurants and institutional kitchens should check inventory.
Costco’s inclusion of both Service Deli and Food Court Caesar dressing indicates the retailer received affected products through multiple distribution channels. The warehouse club operates its own food service operations alongside retail sales.
The 27-state distribution covers a broad geographic area, suggesting Ventura Foods operates regional distribution networks serving much of the country. The specific mention of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana indicates these states received substantial shipments.
The Class II recall designation provides important context about risk level. FDA uses this classification when products may cause temporary health problems or where probability of serious adverse effects is remote.
The disposal or return options give consumers flexibility in addressing recalled products. Many retailers issue refunds without requiring product return, though some may request the item for documentation purposes.
The Enforcement Reports page serves as FDA’s official record of recall actions. The agency posts weekly updates listing new recalls, providing transparency about food safety issues.
The absence of reported injuries suggests either that contamination was limited or that consumers who encountered plastic pieces recognized them before swallowing. Visual inspection of food typically reveals foreign objects before consumption.
