SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A California food company has recalled a limited batch of jarred peppers after a consumer video showed what appeared to be a small rodent inside an opened jar. The product is Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat, sold in 32-ounce jars.
The recall was announced after the video spread on social media and drew attention to one lot of the product. According to the FDA notice, the company moved to isolate the affected lot and remove it from sale. No illnesses or injuries had been reported as of the announcement.
How the jar was discovered during dinner prep
The issue came to light when TikTok user @tiffany posted videos showing her preparing dinner and opening a jar of peperoncini for a Mississippi-style pot roast. In the clips, she holds the jar up to the camera and points to a dark object at the bottom.
In one of the videos, she says, “There’s a dead baby mouse in my peperoncinis.” She also said she had already dipped her fingers into the jar and licked them before realizing what she believed she was seeing. Close-up footage in the posts appears to show the object submerged among the peppers.
FDA lists one lot and a pest contaminant concern
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says G. L. Mezzetta Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat, 32 oz. The product tied to the recall carries SKU 10106328 and lot number 720106.
The FDA described the reason for the recall as “presence of pest contaminant in the jar.” That means the affected product may contain foreign material, including rodent material. The recall is limited to that specific lot, not all Mezzetta peppers.
Mezzetta says it acted quickly after the complaint
Mezzetta told the FDA that it contacted the consumer who posted the videos. The company also said it moved quickly to investigate the complaint and isolate the affected lot.
Retail partners were asked to remove the product from shelves, and consumers were told not to eat jars from the recalled lot. Anyone who thinks they bought the affected peppers has been advised to stop using them and contact customer support.
Social media helped the recall spread fast
The videos drew immediate attention online and helped push the issue far beyond the original post. Reactions on X ranged from jokes to skepticism, with some users making light of the situation and others questioning whether the footage could be real.
Even with the online chatter, the recall notice centered on a food safety response from the company and the FDA. That made the focus less about the viral moment and more about getting the specific jars off store shelves quickly.
What shoppers should know now
The recall covers only one identified lot of 32-ounce Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini Medium Heat jars. The FDA notice says no illnesses or injuries had been reported when the recall was announced.
Consumers are being told not to eat any jars from the recalled lot and to reach out to Mezzetta if they believe they have the product at home. The company’s response underscores how quickly a single consumer complaint can lead to a nationwide safety action when food contamination is suspected.
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