The Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of 3,556 cases of salad dressing, including the popular Hidden Valley Ranch, after black plastic planting material was discovered in the dressing’s granulated onion.
Recall Overview
The recall was first initiated on November 11 by Ventura Foods, a California‑based manufacturer. On December 4, the FDA classified the recall as a “Class II” event, indicating that the product could cause temporary or adverse health consequences. The FDA’s enforcement report notes that the recalled cases were distributed to seven retailers and food courts across 42 states.
Distribution and Retailers
The affected products were sold in a variety of venues, including Costco and other food courts. The FDA report does not specify every retailer involved, but confirms that some of the recalled dressings reached consumers through Costco’s service deli and food court locations. The distribution network spanned a broad geographic area, reaching shoppers in multiple regions.
Recalled Dressings and Lot Codes
Below is the full list of dressings and lot codes identified in the recall:
- 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
Ventura Foods did not respond to NBC Chicago’s request for additional information.
States Covered by the Recall
The FDA report lists 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
Earlier Recall of Caesar Salads
In a related incident earlier this year, Costco and Ventura Foods issued a recall of Caesar salads sold in the deli section of stores in the Midwest. That recall was prompted by the possible presence of plastic foreign material in the dressing. The earlier recall highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to address contamination issues.
Key Takeaways
- 3,556 cases of salad dressing, including Hidden Valley Ranch, were recalled due to black plastic in the granulated onion.
- The FDA classified the recall as Class II, indicating potential temporary health risks.
- Recalled products were sold in Costco and other food courts across 42 states.
Consumers who purchased any of the listed dressings should check the SKU and lot code on the product packaging and contact the manufacturer for a refund or replacement.
The recall underscores the importance of vigilance in food safety and the FDA’s role in protecting consumers from contaminated products.
