Social Media Exposure Spurs Targeted Pickled Pepper Recall

G. L. Mezzetta Inc. announced a voluntary recall involving 32-ounce jars of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat. The recall is limited to SKU 10106328, lot 720106.

Source: Food and Drug Administration

A viral social media video has prompted a California food producer to recall a specific lot of its peperoncini while the company investigates a consumer’s report of a contaminant inside a jar.

G. L. Mezzetta Inc. announced a voluntary recall involving 32-ounce jars of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat. The recall is limited to SKU 10106328, lot 720106.

The company said it became aware of a video circulating on social media showing what it described as a “potential pest contaminant” inside a jar and contacted the consumer who posted it.

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The consumer, identified in published reports as a TikTok user named Tiffany, posted videos Sept. 16 while preparing a meal. In the videos, she described the object visible inside the jar as a dead baby mouse.

That description has since spread through social media and national news coverage. Neither Mezzetta nor the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identifies the object as a mouse in the recall notice. The company describes it as a potential pest contaminant and says its investigation remains underway.

Mezzetta said it has sought the product involved in the original consumer report for examination and is reviewing production, sanitation and food-safety records associated with the incident.

The company also traced distribution of the affected lot and is working with customers that received it to isolate and remove the product from sale.

No illnesses or injuries associated with the recalled product had been reported at the time of the recall announcement.

The recall applies only to:

Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat
Size: 32 ounces
SKU: 10106328
Lot: 720106

Consumers who have a jar matching those identifiers are advised not to consume it and to contact Mezzetta at CustomerSupport@Mezzetta.com.

Mezzetta said no other products or lots are included in the recall based on information currently available.

The company said it is coordinating with regulatory authorities and will update its guidance if the scope of the recall changes.