A shopper's TikTok videos showed what appeared to be a dead mouse floating among the peppers in a jar of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini, a product sold at Houston-area H-E-B, Walmart, Target and Randalls stores. The company has recalled a single lot of the product following the viral posts, which racked up more than 680,000 views since they went up on September 16.
A Pot Roast Interrupted
According to the Houston Chronicle, the videos were posted by a TikTok user going by @reizargt, identified in the footage as Tiffany, who said she was making a Mississippi-style pot roast when she claims she discovered the dead mouse in her jar. Tiffany said in the videos that consumers should not buy the pepperoncini brand. Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini is sold in 32-ounce jars at those Houston-area retailers, as well as online through Kroger and the company's own website.
Per the Chronicle's report, Mezzetta acknowledged the social media video's circulation and said it launched an investigation into the reported rodent finding. The company said it contacted the consumer who posted the videos and requested the product involved in the original consumer report for examination. Mezzetta has not said where it distributed the affected lot, and the company reported no illnesses or injuries tied to the incident, according to its announcement.
What the Recall Covers
The recall covers a single lot of Mezzetta Golden Greek Peperoncini. Mezzetta said it took immediate action to identify product distribution and worked with affected customers to isolate and remove it from sale, and the company said it will take other appropriate steps as needed while its investigation continues.
The brand describes its Golden Greek Peperoncini as exclusively imported from what it calls the sun-drenched pepper farms in the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece, according to Mezzetta's product listing. The listed ingredients include peppers, water, distilled vinegar, sea salt, turmeric, beta-carotene, citric acid and sodium metabisulfite.
Company Response and Quality Claims
Mezzetta said food safety is its highest priority, and the company states on its website that it checks its products for quality before, during and after they've left the factory floor. Mezzetta facilities are designed to protect products throughout production and distribution and follow programs for sanitation, pest control, product quality and traceability, the company says.
The company has asked consumers not to eat the product and has directed those with questions to contact its customer support team at [email protected], per its announcement. Anyone who purchased the affected lot from a Houston-area H-E-B, Walmart, Target or Randalls, or online through Kroger, is being urged to reach out for help rather than consume the peppers.
