What happens when your favorite salad dressing might contain black plastic fragments?
Story Overview
- Ventura Foods recalls over 4,000 cases of popular salad dressings due to potential plastic contamination.
- Brands affected include Hidden Valley, Costco, Publix, and more across 27 states.
- Consumers are advised to discard or return affected products immediately.
- The contamination traces back to a single ingredient: granulated onion.
Recall Details and Impact
In November 2025, Ventura Foods initiated a recall for several salad dressings, including popular brands like Hidden Valley and Costco, due to potential contamination with hard plastic fragments. The recall involves over 4,000 cases distributed across more than two dozen states. The contaminant is traced to granulated onion supplied with black plastic planting material.
The recall impacts both consumer retail and food-service channels, including dressings sold in Costco’s delis and food courts. This situation highlights the extensive reach of a single contaminated ingredient affecting multiple brands and retailers. Consumers are advised to check product codes and return or discard affected items for safety.
Background and Historical Context
Ventura Foods, a major U.S. condiment manufacturer, produces both branded and private-label products. Hidden Valley Ranch, owned by Clorox, is among the brands affected, with some products manufactured by Ventura. The FDA categorizes this recall under physical contamination, a significant safety hazard due to the potential for injury from ingesting plastic fragments.
Food recalls due to foreign object contamination, particularly involving spices or seasonings, are not uncommon. Similar past incidents often involved metal or glass, making this plastic contamination somewhat unique in its source—agricultural plastic from onion production.
Stakeholders and Responses
Key players in this recall include Ventura Foods, brand owners like Clorox and Costco, and the FDA. Ventura’s role as a contract manufacturer for multiple brands places them at the center of this recall. Retailers and food-service operators must manage the logistics of removing affected products and communicating with consumers.
The FDA oversees the recall process, ensuring public safety and compliance. Consumers play a crucial role by checking product details and responding to recall notices. The incident underscores the importance of robust supplier verification and traceability in food manufacturing.
