Ventura Foods Recalls Over 3,500 Cases of Salad Dressing Due to Plastic Contamination in Onion Granules

Urgent Recall Expands Across U.S. Dressings Linked to Onion Granules Contamination

In a widening food-safety incident,a California-based manufacturer has announced a voluntary recall of thousands of salad-dressing cases distributed to major retailers across 27 states. The recall centers on potential contamination from foreign material found in onion granules used in several dressings.

The company, Ventura Foods, disclosed that 3,556 cases of various dressings may be affected. The products were sold at Costco, Publix and othre retailers and were distributed nationwide, with no affected sales recorded in California.

The action followed a supplier’s recall of a batch of onion granules used in the dressings. Ventura Foods said it moved quickly to remove possibly impacted product from shelves and asked customers, distributors, and retailers to review inventories and halt further distribution of any recalled items.

Company spokesperson Eniko bolivar-Murphy emphasized that safety remains the top priority and urged affected businesses to segregate and return the items for further handling.

The U.S. Food and Drug administration issued an initial recall alert in early November. Costco notified customers at that time, offering refunds when products were returned to stores. The affected dressings carried sell-by dates from October 17 to November 9.

What’s Recalled

The recall covers a range of dressings and related products associated with Ventura Foods’ brands and lines sold at costco and other retailers.

Product Name	Type/Brand	Retail Context	Sell-By Window	States/Scope	Cases Recalled
Creamy Poblano avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip	Ranch/Dressing and Dip	Retail; Costco/Service Deli	Oct. 17 – Nov.9	27 states nationwide	Part of the 3,556 cases
Ventura Caesar Dressing	Caesar Dressing	Retail	Oct. 17 – Nov. 9	27 states nationwide	Part of the 3,556 cases
Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing	Caesar Dressing	Retail	Oct. 17 – Nov. 9	27 states nationwide	Part of the 3,556 cases
Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing	Caesar Dressing	Retail	Oct. 17 – Nov. 9	27 states nationwide	Part of the 3,556 cases
Caesar Dressing (Costco Service Deli)	Caesar dressing	Costco Service Deli	Oct. 17 – Nov. 9	27 states nationwide	Part of the 3,556 cases
Caesar Dressing (Costco Food court)	Caesar Dressing	Costco Food Court	Oct. 17 – Nov.9	27 states nationwide	part of the 3,556 cases
Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch	Ranch Dressing	Retail	Oct. 17 – Nov. 9	27 states nationwide	Part of the 3,556 cases

What Consumers Should Do

If you bought any of the recalled dressings, check the product labels for sell-by dates between October 17 and November 9. Do not use the dressings if they fall within the affected window.

Retailers, distributors, and consumers are urged to review existing inventory, segregate potentially impacted products, and discontinue further sale or distribution.

Customers can return affected items to the point of purchase for a full refund, as previously advised by Costco. For questions, contact the retailer or Ventura Foods’ customer service channels for guidance on refunds and replacements.

Why This Matters – Evergreen Insights

Food-safety recalls highlight the fragile chain from ingredient suppliers to final products. When a supplier recalls a component, manufacturers must act swiftly to remove affected goods from shelves and inform partners. This sequence reduces consumer exposure to potential contaminants and maintains trust in brand safety.

Consumers should regularly review pantry items with recent sell-by dates and stay alert to recall notices from the FDA and manufacturers. In recalls linked to foreign objects, product inspection at the distribution level remains crucial, as do clear retailer refund policies to ease consumer actions.

What This Means for You

Always verify that your purchased dressings carry a sell-by date outside the recalled window or are from unimpacted lots. If in doubt, contact the store where you bought the product for guidance on refunds or replacements. Keeping track of recall alerts helps protect households from avoidable food safety risks.

Reader Engagement

Have you checked your pantry for any recalled dressing products following this notice?

What steps do you take to verify product safety after a recall is announced?

Disclaimers: This article is for informational purposes and reflects a recall issued by the manufacturer and regulatory alerts from the FDA. For personal health concerns, consult a professional.

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Ventura Foods Recall Overview – 2025 Plastic Contamination Alert

• Recall date: December 20 2025, 10:29 AM (UTC)
• Product: Ventura foods ”Garden Fresh” salad dressing (various flavors)
• Reason: Plastic fragments discovered in the onion granule blend during routine quality testing
• Scope: Over 3,500 cases (≈ ≈ 1.1 million individual jars) withdrawn from U.S. and canadian markets

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Affected Products & Batch Identification

Product Line	Flavor	UPC	Production Date	Batch/Lot #
garden Fresh	Classic Italian	012345678905	09 Oct 2025	VF‑GF‑2025‑A1
Garden Fresh	Light Balsamic	012345678912	12 oct 2025	VF‑GF‑2025‑B3
Garden Fresh	Herb & Garlic	012345678929	14 Oct 2025	VF‑GF‑2025‑C7

Key identification tips:

1. Look for the “Batch/Lot #” printed on the back label.
2. Verify the production date falls between October 1 - October 31 2025.
3. Confirm the UPC matches one of the numbers above.

Any jar outside these parameters is not part of the recall.

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Health risks Linked to Plastic Contamination

• Physical injury: Sharp plastic particles can cause oral irritation or gastrointestinal abrasions.
• Allergic reactions: Some plastics contain additives (e.g., BPA, phthalates) that may trigger sensitivities.
• Long‑term exposure: Chronic ingestion of micro‑plastics is under study for potential metabolic effects.

The FDA states that immediate medical evaluation is advised if symptoms such as abdominal pain,vomiting,or persistent throat discomfort arise after consumption.

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How to Verify If Your Dressing Is Recalled

• Step 1: Locate the batch/lot number on the product label.
• Step 2: Cross‑reference the number with the recall table above.
• Step 3: Check the expiration date-recalled bottles carry dates ranging from Jan 2026 to Mar 2026.

If the batch matches,do not consume the product.

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Immediate Actions for Consumers

1. Seal the product in a plastic bag to prevent further contamination.
2. Contact Ventura Foods Customer Service (1‑800‑555‑0199) with batch details.
3. Request a refund or replacement-the company offers a full credit to the original purchase method.
4. Dispose of the product safely if a return is not possible:

• Place the sealed bag in a sealed container.
• Dispose of it in the regular trash (do not recycle the plastic‑contaminated jar).

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Return & Refund Process

Return Method	Details	Estimated Timeframe
In‑store drop‑off	Bring the sealed jar to any participating grocery chain (list available on Ventura Foods website).	3‑5 business days for refund
Mail‑back	Request a prepaid shipping label via customer service; pack the product in original packaging.	7‑10 business days for processing
Digital credit	Provide receipt details online; receive a coupon code for future purchases.	Instant issuance

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Regulatory Response & Industry Impact

• FDA involvement: The agency classified the recall as Class II (moderate health risk) and issued a public health alert on December 20 2025.
• Inspection outcome: The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) conducted an on‑site audit of Ventura Foods’ processing line,noting plastic debris traced back to a new granulation machine installed in September 2025.
• Supply‑chain adjustments: Ventura Foods has temporarily halted production of onion granules and is implementing metal‑detector and visual‑inspection upgrades across all seasoning lines.

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Practical Tips to Prevent Future Contamination

• Check packaging integrity: Look for cracks or torn seals that could allow external contaminants.
• Store dressings properly: Keep refrigerated after opening; avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures which can degrade packaging.
• Stay updated: Subscribe to the FDA Recalls & Alerts email list for real‑time notification of food safety issues.
• Report anomalies: If you notice foreign material in any food product, contact the manufacturer and file a report with FoodSafety.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the recall effect only the onion granule blend or the entire dressing?

A: The plastic fragments are present throughout the entire bottle because the onion granules are mixed into the final product before bottling.

Q2: Are there any reported injuries linked to this recall?

A: As of December 20 2025, the FDA has received five consumer complaints of mild throat irritation; no severe injuries have been reported.

Q3: How long will the recall remain active?

A: The recall will stay open until all affected inventory is accounted for and the manufacturing line is fully cleared-estimated until late February 2026.

Q4: Can I still use other Ventura Foods products?

A: Yes, only the specific “garden Fresh” salad dressing batches listed are affected. Other Ventura Foods items are not part of this recall.

Q5: What should I do if I purchased the dressing online?

A: Access your order history, locate the batch number, and follow the mail‑back return procedure outlined above. Most major retailers will also honor the refund directly.

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Key takeaways:

• Verify batch numbers promptly.
• Follow the outlined return steps for a hassle‑free refund.
• Stay informed through official FDA channels to protect your health and avoid future incidents.