U.S. regulators have ordered a sweeping recall of salad dressings distributed across 27 states after identifying possible contamination with black plastic planting material, a move that has prompted warnings to consumers and food-service operators amid concerns over injury and choking hazards.
The Food and Drug Administration said the recall involves thousands of gallons of dressing produced by Ventura Foods LLC and supplied to delis, grocery stores, cafeterias and food courts, often as ingredients in prepared meals rather than sealed retail bottles. The agency confirmed the action was taken after foreign material was traced to granulated onion used during manufacturing.
In a notice, the FDA said the contamination "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences," citing the risk that hard plastic fragments could injure the mouth, throat or digestive tract if consumed. Officials cautioned that plastic contamination can be difficult to detect, particularly in creamy or seasoned products.
The recall, upgraded to a Class II designation on Dec. 4, 2025, covers 3,556 cases, according to FDA enforcement reports. While no illnesses had been reported as of mid-December, regulators emphasized that the lack of confirmed cases does not eliminate the potential danger.
The affected products were distributed widely through food-service and retail supply chains, increasing the likelihood that consumers may have eaten the dressings without knowing their source. Health officials said this pattern complicates identification, especially for salads and sandwiches purchased ready-made.
Products listed in the recall include multiple food-service brands, among them:
- Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch
- Italian Salad Dressing
- Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip
- Ventura Caesar Dressing
- Pepper Mill Caesar
- Caesar dressings supplied to Costco Service Deli and Costco Food Court
Costco previously removed certain Caesar salad items tied to the same supplier after identifying "the presence of plastic foreign material in the salad dressing of these items," according to health officials.
Local authorities confirmed the reach of the distribution. The OKC County Health Department said affected products were delivered to multiple locations within the state, reinforcing warnings to consumers who recently purchased deli-prepared foods. The department advised that "anyone with affected products should throw the product away immediately or return it for a refund."
