In a sweeping safety action, the Food and Drug Administration announced the recall of 3,556 cases of salad dressing, including the popular Hidden Valley Ranch brand. The recall was triggered by the discovery of black plastic planting material in the granulated onion used in the dressings.
FDA Recall Details
The recall was first initiated on November 11, 2025, according to the FDA enforcement report. On December 4, the FDA identified the recall as a “Class II” event, the second of three levels of recalls. A Class II recall indicates that the product could lead to temporary or adverse health consequences.
Cause of the Recall
Investigators found black plastic fragments embedded in the granulated onion that is a key ingredient in the recalled dressings. The presence of this foreign material violates FDA safety standards and prompted the recall.
Distribution and Reach
The affected dressings were distributed to seven retailers and food courts across 42 states, including Illinois. While the specific retailers were not fully disclosed, the enforcement report noted that some units were sold at Costco. Earlier in the year, Costco and Ventura Foods had already initiated a recall of Caesar salads sold in the deli section of Midwest stores due to possible plastic foreign material in the dressing.
Recalled Products and Lot Codes
The FDA enforcement report lists the specific dressings that were recalled:
- Italian Salad Dressing; 1 gallon; SKU: 7 67367 00518 4
- Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip; 1 gallon; SKU: 7 34730 53243 1
- Ventura Caesar Dressing; 2,000 pound; SKU: 00 026700 17360 8
- Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing; 1 gallon; SKU: 0 93901 72607 0
- Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing; 1 gallon; SKU: 0 93901 78134 5
- Caesar Dressing (Costco Service Deli); SKU: 0 26700 19376 7
- Caesar Dressing (Costco Food Court); SKU: 0 26700 19376 7
- Hidden Valley, Buttermilk Ranch; 1 gallon; SKU: 0 26700 19192 3
States Affected by the Recall
The FDA report specifies the 42 states where the recalled products were distributed:
- 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
- Oregon
Company Response
Ventura Foods did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for additional information regarding the recall. No statement from the company was provided at the time of the report.
Consumer Guidance
Consumers who have purchased any of the listed products are advised to check the SKU and lot codes on their containers against the FDA list. If a product matches the recalled specifications, it should be discarded or returned to the point of purchase. The FDA has not issued a consumer safety warning beyond the recall notice.
Key Takeaways
- FDA has recalled 3,556 cases of salad dressing, including Hidden Valley Ranch, due to black plastic found in granulated onion.
- The recall is classified as Class II, indicating potential temporary health consequences.
- Affected products were sold in 42 states, with some units distributed to Costco.
- Ventura Foods has not yet responded to media inquiries about the recall.
The recall underscores the importance of rigorous ingredient inspection and the FDA’s role in protecting consumers from foreign objects in packaged foods. Consumers should remain vigilant and verify product codes before consumption.
