FDA Details Class II Recall of 44,982 Jars of American Canyon-Based Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Across 22 States

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released comprehensive enforcement details regarding a voluntary recall of nearly 45,000 jars of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini produced by American Canyon-based specialty food company G.L. Mezzetta Inc. In the agency's weekly Enforcement Report published October 14 and reviewed by regional grocers this weekend, the recall covers 7,497 cases containing six jars each—totaling 44,982 glass jars—distributed to retail stores across 22 states. Consumer health departments and grocery store quality boards in American Canyon, Napa, Oakland, Concord, and San Francisco urged shoppers to check pantry shelves.

Federal food-safety inspectors noted that affected 16-fluid-ounce glass jars of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini can be identified by Universal Product Code (UPC) 073214003280, lot number 720106 stamped on the cap or neck, and a best-by date of July 2029. The Napa County specialty food producer initiated the recall after a consumer report and social-media video surfaced appearing to show foreign biological contamination—specifically an apparent dead mouse—inside an unopened jar. While the company's initial public notice did not list exact shipment totals, the FDA Enforcement Report specified the 44,982-jar scope across 22 state distribution corridors.

Following technical evaluation, the FDA classified the action as a Class II recall under federal regulatory standards. A Class II designation signifies a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, although the probability of serious health outcomes is considered remote. Neither the company nor federal investigators have publicly released root-cause manufacturing findings explaining how the reported contamination occurred on the bottling line.

Across Napa, Solano, Contra Costa, and Alameda counties, environmental health department inspectors and supermarket chain compliance committees have verified that lot number 720106 has been removed from active retail shelves and warehouse inventories. Grocery store managers in American Canyon, Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill confirmed that customers holding jars from lot 720106 are eligible for a 100 percent full refund ($4 to $6 retail value per jar) at the point of purchase. No additional Mezzetta olive, pepper, or pasta-sauce product lines are affected by the single-lot action.

Consumers who purchased Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini with UPC 073214003280 and lot number 720106 should not consume the product and may return it to their grocery store or contact Mezzetta consumer affairs along Green Island Road in American Canyon at (800) 462-3993 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Official federal enforcement notices remain posted online at fda.gov.