INDIANA – A massive recall is underway for thousands of gallons of salad dressings and condiments distributed across 27 states, including Indiana, and one international location due to potential contamination.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the products may contain a foreign object—specifically, black plastic—and has assigned the recall a Class II designation, indicating the products are unlikely to cause serious health effects but still pose a safety risk.
The products, manufactured by Ventura Foods LLC, were initially recalled on November 6.
The recall affects several popular dressings and dips intended for food service and deli use, distributed to various retailers, including Costco, Publix, and Gordon’s Food Service.
Consumers and food service professionals should check for the following products, identified by their SKU and lot or best-by dates:
| Product Name | Manufacturer | SKU | Lot Code / Best-By Date |
| Hidden Valley Buttermilk Ranch (Food Service Only) | Ventura Foods LLC | 0 26700 19192 3 | MFG102725H |
| Costco Service Deli Caesar Dressing | Ventura Foods LLC | 0 26700 19376 7 | B28025, B28125, B28225, B29025, B29125, B29225 |
| Costco Food Court Caesar Dressing | Ventura Foods LLC | 0 26700 19376 7 | Best-By Date: March 4, 2026 |
| Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce | Ventura Foods LLC | 10 026700 16964 6 | B28725 |
| Pepper Mill Regal Caesar Dressing | Ventura Foods LLC | 0 93901 72607 0 | H29025 |
| Pepper Mill Creamy Caesar Dressing | Ventura Foods LLC | 0 93901 78134 5 | H29025 |
| Monarch Italian Salad Dressing | Ventura Foods LLC | 7 67367 00518 4 | B29525 |
| Sysco Creamy Poblano Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip | Ventura Foods LLC | 7 34730 53243 1 | MFG101625H |
| Ventura Caesar Dressing | Ventura Foods LLC | 00 026700 17360 8 | P27525 |
A representative from Hidden Valley Ranch clarified that the affected Ranch dressing was intended solely for food service and was never distributed to consumers.
The recalled products were distributed to delis and food courts at seven retailers across 42 locations in the following 27 states:
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, and Oregon.
The products were also shipped to one retailer in Costa Rica.
Costco also recalled the following prepared food items that contained the affected dressing, though their “sell-by” dates have since expired:
- Caesar Salad (Item Number: 19927; Sell-by Dates: 10/17/25 to 11/9/25)
- Chicken Sandwich w/ Caesar Salad (Item Number: 11444; Sell-by Dates: 10/17/25 to 11/9/25)
The FDA urges consumers to exercise caution. Since the recalled items were primarily distributed to delis and food courts, it is unlikely that many consumers have the products in their homes. However, out of an abundance of caution, the safest option is not to use the affected products and to dispose of them immediately.
Frequent shoppers at retailers supplied by Ventura Foods, including Costco, Publix, and Gordon’s Food Service, should be aware of the situation and check for any recalled items that may still be on shelves or in their possession. The black plastic contamination is reportedly from a granulated onion ingredient used in the dressings.
