Thousands of cases of popular salad dressings were recalled across 27 US states after manufacturers and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found possible
foreign material inside the products. The recall affects several brands, including select Hidden Valley and Caesar-style dressings. Ventura Foods, a California-based company, started the recall on November 6, after finding black plastic material in ingredients used to make the dressings. The FDA classified the recall as Class II. It means that the products may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects. However, serious harm is unlikely. Ventura Foods found black plastic planting material in granulated onion used during production. The contaminated ingredient was added to multiple salad dressing products. According to the FDA’s enforcement report, 3,556 cases of salad dressing were impacted by the issue.
Which Salad Dressings Are Included In Recall?
The recall includes large food-service size products sold mainly to retailers, delis, and food courts. According to Newsweek report, the affected products include:
- Italian Salad Dressing, one-gallon size
- Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip, one-gallon size
- Ventura Caesar Dressing, 2,000-pound bulk size
- Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing, one-gallon size
- Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing, one-gallon size
- Caesar Dressing sold at Costco service delis
- Caesar Dressing sold at Costco food courts
- Hidden Valley Professional Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, one-gallon size
Each product has a specific SKU number listed in the FDA recall notice.
Where Were Recalled Dressings Distributed?
The affected salad dressings were distributed in 27 states across the country. These states include Kentucky, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Virginia, Missouri, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Washington, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, North Dakota, and Oregon.
Ventura Foods confirmed that the products reached both retail shelves and food service locations, including grocery stores, delis, and food courts.
Which Retailers Received Affected Products?
The recalled salad dressings were sent to at least seven major retail customers. Costco and Publix are among the confirmed locations that received the affected products. The full list of retailers was not released by the FDA.
Some products were supplied directly to food service counters rather than sold as take-home items.
Hidden Valley Ranch stated that no consumer-sized Hidden Valley products sold in stores are part of the recall. The company explained that the recalled Hidden Valley item was a professional food-service product that was never distributed to customers.
The product involved was manufactured by Ventura Foods, a third-party partner.
What Is FDA’s Risk Assessment?
The FDA classified the recall as Class II. This means the products may cause short-term or reversible health effects. The agency stated that the risk of serious injury remains low.
No injuries linked to the recalled products have been reported so far.
Ventura Foods stopped distribution of the affected products immediately after confirming the issue. The company worked with the FDA to track affected shipments and notify distributors and retailers.
The recall remains active while inspections and follow-up checks continue.
What Should Consumers Do?
Consumers and food service operators should check product labels, SKU numbers, and lot codes listed in the recall notice. Any matching items should be returned to the place of purchase for a refund.
