Video of dead mouse in jar prompts recall of pantry staple. What to know in Idaho
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Hali Smith and Angela Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman
BOISE (Idaho Statesman) — A popular food company recalled a pantry staple after a consumer reported finding a dead mouse in a jar.
The common kitchen good was removed from store shelves because it “may contain foreign objects such as (a) pest contaminant,” according to a recall notice shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The recalled product was distributed nationwide.
Which food product was recalled in Idaho? Why?
Here’s what shoppers need to know:
G. L. Mezzetta Inc. of American Canyon, California, recalled one lot of its Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The company said it issued the voluntary recall after learning about a “potential pest contaminant,” according to the FDA.
“We’re aware of a video circulating on social media showing a potential pest contaminant in a jar,” the company said in its Sept. 26 recall notice. “We have contacted the consumer and have moved quickly to investigate the situation and initiate a voluntary recall.”
The video was posted on TikTok on Sept. 16 as a “public service announcement.”
“Don’t buy this brand of peperoncinis. I have a dead mouse in mine,” the TikTok user, identified only as Tiffany, says in the video.
As of Saturday, Mezzetta said it received “no reports of illness or injury” in connection to the product.
How can I tell if I bought recalled peppers?
@reizargt @Mezzetta | Real Ingredients ♬ original sound – tiffany
According to the FDA, the recall applies only to a specific product and lot:
- Product name: Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat
- Size: 32 ounces
- SKU: 10106328
- Lot: 720106
Consumers should check the jar and compare the product and lot information with the recall details before eating it.
Where were the recalled pickled peppers sold?
The recalled peperocini were sold in “multiple states, including California,” according to the California Department of Public Health.
Mezzetta did not publicly identify the specific stores or retailers that received the affected lot.
Mezzetta said it has “detailed production and distribution records” and has identified customers that received products from the recalled lot.
“Food safety is our highest priority,” the company said. “Our facilities follow established programs for sanitation, pest control, product quality and traceability designed to protect our products throughout production and distribution.”
What should I do with recalled food?
If you bought the recalled peperocini, do not eat it, according to Mezzetta.
If you have a 32-ounce jar of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat, the FDA said, contact Mezzetta at CustomerSupport@Mezzetta.com for assistance.
The FDA said no other Mezzetta products or lots are included in this recall based on the information currently available.
What can rodent contamination lead to?
Other than the unwanted surprise of finding a critter in your jar of pickled peppers, ingesting food contaminated by pests or rodents could expose you to serious infections.
“Rodents, such as rats, mice, and chipmunks, are known to carry many diseases,” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “These diseases can spread to people directly. Rodent droppings, urine, and saliva can spread by breathing in air or eating food that is contaminated with rodent waste.”
There are a plethora of illnesses that rodents can carry and transfer to humans, including both bacterial and viral infections.
Salmonella and hantavirus are both examples of diseases that can spread from rodent contamination.
Which food and drinks have been recalled in Idaho?
According to past McClatchy Media reporting, recent recalls affecting customers in Idaho include:
- Beef, pork and goat meat didn’t undergo federal inspection
- Frozen pasta recalled for potential listeria contamination
- “Foreign materials” in So Delicious Dairy Free frozen dessert
- Ready-to-eat pork products contaminated with listeria
- Broccoli sprouts recalled for salmonella contamination
In addition, a total of 53 consumer products sold in Idaho were subject to federal recalls in August, Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said in a Sept. 3 news release.
That included items “specifically designed for infants and children,” Labrador said, such as “hazardous” clothing, toys and baby equipment.
Recalls also impacted motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and bicycle parts sold in Idaho, the Statesman previously reported.
Other recalls issued in August affected furniture, mattresses, pressure washers and fuel cans.