Popular Peperoncini Recalled After Disturbing Discovery Inside Jar

G.L. Mezzetta Inc. has announced a voluntary recall involving a specific lot of its Golden Greek Peperoncini after the company became aware of a social media video that appeared to show a pest contaminant inside a jar.

The recall is limited to certain 32-ounce jars of Mezzetta Greek Peppers, also identified as Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat. According to a company announcement posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consumers who have the affected product are being advised not to eat it.

Here is what shoppers should know about the recall, how to identify the affected jars, and what to do if they have the product at home.

Which Mezzetta Peppers Are Being Recalled?

The voluntary recall does not involve every jar of Mezzetta peppers.

According to the FDA-posted company announcement, the affected product can be identified by the following information:

• Product: Mezzetta Greek Peppers / Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat
• Package size: 32 ounces
• SKU: 10106328
• Lot number: 720106

Consumers should check all of these identifying details when determining whether a jar they purchased is included in the recall.

Based on the information available when the announcement was published, no other Mezzetta products or production lots were included in the recall.

Why Were the Peperoncini Recalled?

The recall began after Mezzetta learned about a video circulating on social media that appeared to show a pest contaminant in a jar of the company's Greek peppers.

Mezzetta said it contacted the consumer associated with the report and began investigating the situation. The company also arranged to retrieve and inspect the jar involved.

The FDA notice lists the reason for the recall as the possibility that the product may contain a foreign object involving a pest contaminant.

Importantly, the public notice describes a specific reported incident and a limited recall. It should not be interpreted as evidence that every Mezzetta pepper product, or even every jar outside the identified lot, has the same problem.

No Illnesses or Injuries Reported at Time of Announcement

At the time the recall notice was issued, Mezzetta said it had received no reports of illnesses or injuries associated with the recalled peppers.

The company announcement was dated September 23, 2026, while the FDA published it on September 25, 2026.

A recall does not necessarily mean that consumers have become sick. Food recalls can occur for a range of reasons, including possible contamination, foreign materials, undeclared allergens, labeling problems, or other potential safety concerns. The FDA explains that manufacturers may remove food from the market when a product is potentially contaminated or could present a health hazard.

What Mezzetta Is Doing

After becoming aware of the reported contamination, Mezzetta said it began examining production, sanitation, and food safety records connected to the affected product.

The company also used its production and distribution records to determine where products from lot 720106 had been distributed.

Customers that received products from the affected lot were identified, according to the announcement, and Mezzetta began working with them to isolate the jars and remove affected inventory from sale.

The company said its facilities have programs covering sanitation, pest control, product quality, and traceability.

Mezzetta also stated that its Quality Management System is audited under the Safe Quality Food, or SQF, program, and that its facility uses a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plan to identify, assess, and control potential food safety hazards during production.

The investigation was continuing when the notice was published.

What Should Consumers Do?

Anyone who has Mezzetta peperoncini at home should first check the jar rather than assume that it is part of the recall.

Look specifically for a 32-ounce jar of Mezzetta Greek Peppers with lot number 720106 and SKU 10106328.

Consumers who believe they have a jar from the recalled lot should not consume the peppers. Mezzetta has instructed affected consumers to contact the company at CustomerSupport@Mezzetta.com for assistance.

Consumers should follow the instructions contained in the official recall notice. The FDA generally advises people who have recalled food to carefully review the recall announcement and follow the product-specific directions provided by the manufacturer or regulator.

If someone believes an FDA-regulated food has caused illness, the FDA advises contacting a healthcare provider and reporting the problem through the appropriate consumer reporting channels.

Why Checking the Lot Number Matters

Food recall headlines can sometimes create the impression that an entire brand or product category has been removed from stores. In this case, the scope announced by Mezzetta is considerably narrower.

The recall applies to one identified lot of a particular product and package size.

That distinction matters for consumers who may have several Mezzetta products in their refrigerator or pantry. A different size, variety, or lot number is not automatically part of this recall.

The FDA notes that recall announcements typically contain identifying information such as product names, package sizes, UPC information, lot codes, and distribution details. These identifiers help shoppers determine whether the food they purchased is actually covered by a recall.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

Mezzetta said it is working with the appropriate regulatory authorities while investigating the reported contamination.

The company also said additional steps would be taken if necessary and that information would be updated if the scope of the recall or instructions for consumers changed.

For that reason, consumers with an affected jar should rely on the latest information from the FDA and Mezzetta rather than solely on social media posts about the incident.

As of the FDA announcement published September 25, the recall remained limited to the specified 32-ounce product carrying SKU 10106328 and lot number 720106, and no illnesses or injuries had been reported.

Source

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, published September 25, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational and news purposes only. It is not medical, legal, or professional food safety advice. Recall details can change as investigations progress. Consumers should consult the latest FDA recall notice and information provided by the manufacturer for current instructions. Anyone who believes they became ill after consuming a recalled or potentially contaminated food should contact a qualified healthcare professional and follow appropriate public health reporting guidance.