Urgent FDA Recall: Salad Dressing Expiration Dates Prompt Safety Alert

Have you recently checked the expiration dates on your salad dressing bottles? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced an urgent recall for thousands of gallons of salad dressings and condiments due to possible contamination with black plastic planting material. This recall specifically affects products sold at popular grocery stores across 27 states, including Oklahoma.

Understanding how to read expiration dates on salad dressing has become particularly important in light of this situation. The FDA classifies this as a Class II recall, meaning consumption could result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences [-3]. Furthermore, the recall covers items distributed to delis, cafeterias, and grocery stores, with Ventura Foods LLC voluntarily recalling over 4,000 cases of various dressings and sauces. Consequently, we need to be vigilant about checking our refrigerators for affected products, including certain Hidden Valley-branded dressings that may be part of this widespread safety alert.

FDA Issues Recall Over Contaminated Salad Dressings

The FDA officially escalated this situation on December 4, 2025, classifying it as a Class II recall. This designation indicates potential “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” where the probability of serious outcomes remains remote.

The recall covers more than 4,000 cases of salad dressings and sauces manufactured by Ventura Foods LLC. Initially triggered on November 6, this action resulted from discovering black plastic planting material in granulated onion used during production. This foreign material presents a potential choking hazard if consumed.

When checking expiration dates on affected salad dressings, note that most contaminated products have expiration dates around March 2026. Therefore, examining recently purchased dressings is essential, as many remain within their shelf life.

Among the affected items are several popular products: Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch (SKU #: 0 26700 19192 3), Pepper Mill Caesar dressings, Monarch Italian Salad Dressing, Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch, and several Costco and Publix offerings.

Additionally, Costco extended the recall to prepared foods containing these dressings, such as their Caesar Salad (item #19927) and Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (item #11444) sold between October 17 and November 9. Although these prepared items have now expired, this illustrates how contamination in one ingredient affects multiple products.

Retailers and Products Affected by the Recall

The widespread recall affects products distributed across 27 states, primarily involving major retailers Costco and Publix, as well as food service provider Sysco. Ventura Foods LLC has recalled more than 4,000 cases of salad dressings and condiments that may contain black plastic material from contaminated granulated onion.

Among the affected products are several Caesar dressings sold at Costco with SKU 0 26700 19376 7, featuring lot codes B28025, B28125, B28225, B29025, B29125, and B29225. Moreover, Costco’s Food Court Caesar Dressing with a “best by” date of March 04, 2026, has also been included in this safety alert.

Other recalled items include Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch (SKU 0 26700 19192 3), Monarch Italian Salad Dressing (SKU 7 67367 00518 4), Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch (SKU 7 34730 53243 1), and Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce (SKU 10 026700 16964 6).

At Costco, two prepared food items—the Caesar Salad (item #19927) and Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (item #11444)—have been recalled because they contained the potentially contaminated dressing. These items had sell-by dates between October 17 and November 9, 2025.

Understanding how to read expiration dates on salad dressing labels is essential since most affected products have expiration dates around March 2026.

FDA Advises Consumers to Discard or Return Products

For consumers who find recalled salad dressings in their refrigerators, immediate action is required. The FDA strongly advises against consuming any potentially contaminated products. Instead, customers should either discard the affected items properly or return them to the place of purchase for a possible refund.

If choosing to dispose of recalled products, wrap them securely before placing in trash to prevent others or animals from accessing them. Notably, consumers should never donate recalled food to food banks or give it to pets, as animals can also experience food poisoning.

Alternatively, those seeking refunds can typically return unopened products directly to retailers. Even partially used items may qualify for refunds without receipts in many cases. However, if you’ve already disposed of the product, keeping photographic evidence or noting lot codes may help verify your refund claim.

Beyond disposal, it’s essential to thoroughly clean any surfaces that contacted contaminated dressings. The FDA recommends washing refrigerator walls, shelves, cutting boards, and utensils with hot, soapy water followed by sanitizing with a solution of one tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of hot water.

Anyone experiencing health concerns after consuming recalled dressings should contact a healthcare provider immediately. For questions about this recall, consumers can reach the FDA directly at 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332).

Conclusion

This FDA recall serves as a critical reminder for all of us to regularly check our refrigerators for potentially contaminated food products. The widespread recall of salad dressings containing black plastic material certainly highlights the importance of food safety vigilance. Many affected products remain within their shelf life, with expiration dates extending to March 2026, making our immediate attention necessary.

Therefore, we must take action if these items lurk in our kitchens. Checking product SKUs against the recalled list should become a priority for families across the 27 affected states. Popular brands like Hidden Valley and store-specific products from Costco and Publix require our scrutiny.

Consequently, any discovered recalled items should be either properly discarded or returned to retailers for potential refunds. The FDA guidance also reminds us to thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have contacted these contaminated dressings.

Finally, while this recall falls under the Class II designation with lower risk of serious health consequences, we should never take food safety lightly. Anyone experiencing unusual symptoms after consuming these products should seek medical attention immediately. Food recalls, though inconvenient, ultimately protect us from unnecessary health risks. Our vigilance today prevents potential problems tomorrow.

Key Takeaways

The FDA has issued an urgent Class II recall for over 4,000 cases of salad dressings due to black plastic contamination, affecting products sold across 27 states with March 2026 expiration dates.

• Check your refrigerator immediately – Popular brands like Hidden Valley, Costco Caesar dressings, and Publix products may contain black plastic material that poses choking hazards.

• Verify product details carefully – Look for specific SKU numbers and lot codes on recalled items, as most contaminated products have expiration dates around March 2026.

• Discard or return affected products – Never consume recalled dressings; either dispose of them securely or return to retailers for potential refunds without receipts.

• Clean contaminated surfaces thoroughly – Wash refrigerator shelves, cutting boards, and utensils with hot soapy water, then sanitize with bleach solution.

• Seek medical attention if needed – Contact healthcare providers immediately if you experience unusual symptoms after consuming potentially contaminated dressings.

This recall demonstrates why regular food safety checks are essential, especially since contaminated products remain within their shelf life and could still be in many households across affected states.

FAQs

Q1. Which salad dressings are affected by the recent FDA recall?
 The recall affects over 4,000 cases of salad dressings and sauces, including certain Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch, Pepper Mill Caesar dressings, Monarch Italian Salad Dressing, Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch, and several Costco and Publix offerings. Most affected products have expiration dates around March 2026.

Q2. How can I identify if I have a recalled salad dressing?
Check the SKU numbers and lot codes on your salad dressing bottles. For example, affected Costco Caesar dressings have SKU 0 26700 19376 7 with specific lot codes. Most recalled products have expiration dates around March 2026. If in doubt, verify the product details against the official recall list.

Q3. What should I do if I have a recalled salad dressing?
Do not consume the recalled product. You have two options: either discard the item securely or return it to the place of purchase for a potential refund. Even if you’ve already disposed of the product, you may still be eligible for a refund by providing photographic evidence or noting the lot codes.

Q4. Are there any health risks associated with the recalled dressings?
 The FDA has classified this as a Class II recall, indicating potential temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. The main concern is the presence of black plastic material, which poses a potential choking hazard. If you’ve consumed these products and experience unusual symptoms, contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Q5. How widespread is this recall?
The recall affects products distributed across 27 states, primarily involving major retailers like Costco and Publix, as well as food service provider Sysco. It also extends to some prepared foods that used the recalled dressings, such as certain Caesar salads and chicken sandwiches sold at Costco between specific dates in October and November 2025.