Hidden Valley Ranch bottles are coming off shelves today in a fast-moving recall. The issue is serious. Certain salad dressings may contain plastic pieces. I am confirming that the action spans roughly 27 states, and it includes major retailers like Costco and some Publix stores. If you have ranch in the fridge, check it now.
What happened, and what it covers
Select Hidden Valley Ranch dressings, along with a few other popular salad dressings, are being recalled because some lots may include foreign objects, reported as plastic material. The voluntary pull involves products distributed across about 27 states. Retailers are isolating stock, posting notices, and advising customers not to consume any affected bottles.
Hidden Valley is a staple in home fridges, restaurant walk-ins, and school cafeterias. This is not a flavor or size issue, it comes down to specific lot codes and dates. The FDA is coordinating the process. Consumers should check official recall details from the manufacturer, the FDA, and their retailer for exact codes.
Do not eat any bottle you suspect is part of the recall. Plastic fragments can pose a choking risk and can damage teeth.
How to check your bottle
You do not need to guess. The clues are on your label.
- Pull the bottle from your fridge or pantry, and keep it upright.
- Look for the Best By date and lot code on the neck or back label.
- Compare those details to the recall lists posted by the retailer and manufacturer.
- If you are unsure, treat it as recalled and set it aside.
Save the packaging. You will need it for a refund or to report the code.
Slip the bottle into a zipper bag, cap on, and store it away from food until you return it.
What to do next
Do not pour the dressing down the drain. Return the bottle to the point of purchase or follow the manufacturer’s instructions for a refund. Most retailers will accept returns without a hassle, and some may process credits based on receipts or membership history.
If you already used some dressing, stop using it. Do not try to strain it and keep eating it. If anyone experiences mouth pain or injury after eating the product, contact a healthcare professional. For product specifics and next steps, consult the FDA recall page and your retailer’s statement.
Why plastic shows up in dressings
Food plants run huge batches. Ingredients move through mixers, pumps, and fillers. Plastic can shed from a cracked scraper blade, a worn gasket, a broken scoop, or even a liner from a bulk ingredient tote. Most facilities use metal detection and X-ray checks. Soft plastics are harder to catch, which is why you are seeing a recall now.
The supply chain is tightening controls in response. Expect more lot scanning at stores, more supplier audits, and more emphasis on inline imaging. This is how the system is supposed to work, find the risk, pull the product fast, and protect the eater.
What this means for your kitchen and your table
Ranch is more than a dip. It is a weeknight salad move, a wing essential, and a secret sauce on wraps, chopped salads, and pizza. Shelves may look spotty for a bit. Restaurants that rely on portion cups may switch brands or pour a house-made version for a short stretch. If your server says they are out of packaged ranch, ask if a house dressing is available.
At home, you can pivot fast and still get that cool, herby hit.
A quick DIY ranch while you wait
This mix is bright, creamy, and ready in minutes.
- 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or white vinegar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, black pepper to taste
Whisk until smooth. Chill 20 minutes if you can. Thin with a splash more buttermilk for salad, keep it thicker for dipping. For a lighter base, use all yogurt and add a tablespoon of olive oil for body. 🥗
For salad nights, try these swaps
A simple vinaigrette carries a salad when ranch is off the table. Shake equal parts olive oil and lemon juice with a pinch of salt, pepper, and a dab of Dijon. Or blitz a green goddess, blend yogurt, herbs, lemon, and a small avocado. Your chopped salad will not suffer.
What retailers are doing now
Stores are flagging affected lots, pulling cases from back rooms, and notifying shoppers. Warehouse clubs are posting in-app alerts and signage. Regional grocers are training staff on how to identify the codes and process returns quickly. Expect clear labels at the shelf and fast refunds at the service desk.
The bottom line
Check your Hidden Valley Ranch and any other salad dressing in your fridge today. If the lot matches the recall, do not eat it. Bag it, bring it back, and get your money back. There are plenty of safe, tasty ways to dress a salad until shelves reset. Food safety comes first, flavor follows close behind. We will keep tracking developments and will update as new codes or states are added.
