Pest Found in Jar Prompts Recall of Mezzetta Greek Peperoncini

A single jar showing signs of a pest contaminant has triggered a nationwide product recall. G. L. Mezzetta Inc. announced on September 23, 2026 that it is voluntarily pulling a specific lot of its ‘Mezzetta Greek Peppers’ — sold as Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat — after a customer posted a video on social media showing the contaminant inside a jar.

The company says it moved quickly once the video began circulating. It contacted the consumer directly, arranged to retrieve the jar in question, and opened an internal investigation into its production, sanitation and food-safety records. As of the announcement, Mezzetta has not received any reports of illness or injury linked to the product.

What Products Are Being Recalled?

The recall is limited to one specific item and lot. According to the company’s announcement, the affected product is:

• Mezzetta Greek Peppers, 32 oz. (labeled Golden Greek Peperoncini, Medium Heat)
• SKU: 10106328
• Lot: 720106

Mezzetta says no other products or lot codes are currently included in the recall, based on the information available at this time.

Why Was This Recall Issued?

The recall stems from a report of a foreign object — described by the company as a pest contaminant — found inside a jar of the peppers. Mezzetta says it is reviewing production, sanitation and food-safety records tied to the affected lot as part of its ongoing investigation. The company notes it uses an SQF-certified Quality Management System, a food safety program benchmarked by the Global Food Safety Initiative, along with a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan intended to identify and control risks throughout production.

Consuming a jarred food product contaminated with a pest poses a risk of gastrointestinal illness or injury, and is considered a food safety violation even without confirmed illness reports.

Who Is Affected?

Mezzetta says it maintains detailed production and distribution records that allowed it to trace exactly where product from the recalled lot was shipped. The company has identified the customers who received the affected lot and says it is working directly with them to isolate and remove the product from store shelves. The announcement does not list specific states or retailers, and Mezzetta has not published a broader distribution map for this lot.

What Should You Do?

Consumers who have a 32 oz. jar of Mezzetta Greek Peppers from lot 720106 in their pantry are urged to stop using it immediately. The company is asking affected customers to not consume the product and to reach out with any questions rather than continuing to use jars from that lot.

• Check your jar for the 32 oz. size, SKU 10106328 and lot code 720106.
• Do not consume the product if it matches the recalled lot.
• Contact Mezzetta at CustomerSupport@Mezzetta.com for assistance.
• Watch for updates on the FDA’s recall page in case the scope changes.

Mezzetta has not detailed a formal refund or disposal process in its public statement beyond directing consumers to its customer support email, so anyone holding an affected jar should reach out directly for next steps.

What the Company Said

In its announcement, Mezzetta framed the recall as a matter of consumer trust, saying ‘families have trusted Mezzetta products on their tables’ for generations. The company said it is ‘coordinating with the appropriate regulatory authorities’ and will update its public notice if the scope of the recall or its guidance to consumers changes. The FDA posted the announcement as a public service and does not endorse or evaluate the product or company beyond hosting the notice.

For now, the recall remains narrow — a single 32 oz. jar size under one lot number — but the incident is a reminder for shoppers to check pantry items against recall lot codes before use, even when a company reports no illnesses so far.