The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant nationwide recall of salad dressings after discovering foreign plastic objects within the ingredients. The recall affects more than 3,500 cases of product.
Scope and Details of the Recall
The recall involves items manufactured by Ventura Foods, a company based in California. The firm initiated the voluntary recall on 6 November, with the FDA classifying it as a "class II" recall on 4 December. This classification means exposure to the product could cause temporary or medically reversible health issues.
The contamination was traced to "black plastic planting material" found within granulated onion used in the dressings. The affected products, which are all in 1-gallon or service deli-sized bottles, were distributed to retailers across the United States, including Costco, and to one customer in Costa Rica.
Which Products Are Affected?
The recall encompasses several dressing varieties. Consumers and food service businesses should check for the following brands and types in the large-size containers:
- Italian Salad Dressing
- Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip
- Ventura Caesar Dressing
- Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing
- Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing
- Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch Dressing & Dip
Regular grocery store-sized bottles sold directly to shoppers are not included in this recall. A spokesperson for Hidden Valley clarified that only a food-service specific product was involved, stating: "No Hidden Valley Ranch products sold in stores to consumers are included."
Consumer Advice and Distribution
The FDA advises anyone who has purchased the contaminated items not to consume them. They should be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. A particular concern is that some products were supplied to deli counters, meaning the dressing may have been used in prepared meals not directly linked to Ventura Foods.
The products reached retailers in 42 locations across 27 states, including:
Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
This incident highlights the importance of robust supply chain checks in food manufacturing to prevent foreign object contamination.
