Camilla Jessen
Check your fridge: widespread dressing recall announced.
Federal food-safety officials are urging shoppers to check their deli and prepared-food purchases after Ventura Foods pulled thousands of cases of salad dressings and sauces from shelves.
The recall, triggered by possible plastic contamination, affects major names including Hidden Valley Ranch as well as products sold at Costco and Publix.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detailed the issue in an Enforcement Report released Dec. 4, warning that the affected items could pose a risk of internal injury if consumed.
Source of contamination
Ventura Foods determined that fragments of black plastic — traced to planting material found in granulated onion — may have entered select batches of condiments.
The recall spans Caesar dressings, ranch dips and mustard-based sauces distributed to delis, cafeterias and food-service counters across 27 states.
Costco has already issued its own notice for certain deli and food-court items, including its Caesar Salad and its Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad.
Publix products are also included, and more retailers may be added as the investigation continues.
What’s included
According to the FDA, the following SKUs and lot codes are part of the recall:
- Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce (Lot B28725)
- Costco Service Deli Caesar Dressing (Lots B28025, B28125, B28225, B29025, B29125, B29225)
- Costco Food Court Caesar Dressing (Best by March 4, 2026)
- Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch (Lot MFG102725H)
- Monarch Italian Salad Dressing (Lot B29525)
- Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing & Dip (Lot MFG101625H)
- Ventura Caesar Dressing (Lot P27525)
- Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing (Lot H29025)
- Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing (Lot H29025)
PEOPLE reported that the products reached 42 retail locations spanning states from Arkansas to Washington.
Because many were supplied to delis and food-service counters, prepared foods containing these dressings may also be contaminated even if sold under different labels.
What consumers should do
Officials advise anyone who purchased the listed items — or ready-made meals that may contain them — not to eat the products.
They should be discarded immediately or returned to the retailer for a refund.
Sources: FDA Enforcement Report; PEOPLE.
