Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Monkey Spit Barbecue sauces recall: Undeclared Milk, Soy, and Wheat

Recall published 1+ years ago

Undeclared Milk, Soy, and Wheat

Monkey Spit Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dipsMonkey Spit Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dips (photo 2)Monkey Spit Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dips (photo 3)
3 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared milk

This recall is a labelling failure: milk is present and the label does not say so. That is harmless to most households and genuinely dangerous to a few.

What the notice says: People who have allergies to milk/wheat/soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Why it matters: The label does not declare milk, so anyone who reads labels to avoid it has no way of knowing it is in there. For people without that allergy the product is safe to eat.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

An undeclared allergen is a danger only to people allergic or intolerant to that ingredient. For everyone else the food is safe. Reactions range from an itchy mouth, hives, stomach cramps or vomiting through to anaphylaxis — swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, a tight chest, wheezing, a sudden drop in blood pressure or collapse. If anaphylaxis is suspected, use an epinephrine auto-injector straight away and call 911, even if the symptoms seem to settle, because a second wave can follow hours later.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
January 17, 2025
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Monkey Spit
Product type
Sauces & dips
Distribution
California
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Products covered by this recall

Barbecue sauces

What the company announced

Monkey Spit, LLC, Nipomo, CA, is recalling its 12-ounce glass bottle of:

Monkey Mop BBQ Sauce - because it may contain undeclared milk . Best by: 11/07/2026A

Swamp Mob BBQ Sauce - because it may contain undeclared soy . Best by: 12/13/2025A

Atomic Mop BBQ Sauce - because it may contain undeclared milk and wheat . Best by: 03/19/2026D

People who have allergies to milk/wheat/soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The three recalled “Monkey Spit BBQ Sauces" were distributed locally in retail stores on the central coast of California and through mail orders on our website: www.monkeyspithotsauce.com .

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after an FDA inspection. It was discovered that there were undeclared allergens not reveal on the product labels. Subsequent investigation indicates the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company's packaging processes.

Production of the product has been suspended until the FDA and Monkey Spit are certain that the problem has been corrected.

Consumers who have purchased 12-ounce bottles of "Monkey Spit Mop BBQ Sauce, Monkey Spit Swamp BBQ Sauce and Monkey Spit Atomic Mop BBQ Sauce”, are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-714-514-8445 Monday through Friday 9am to 5 pm (PST) or [email protected] .

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 4 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 11/07/2026A
  • 12/13/2025A
  • 03/19/2026D

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 12 ounce

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Milk

Monkey Spit — This recall is a labelling failure: milk is present and the label does not say so. That is harmless to most households and genuinely dangerous to a few.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids milk, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.
  2. Make sure the household epinephrine auto-injector is where it should be and in date, if someone here carries one.
  3. If a reaction has already happened, report it to the FDA through its consumer complaint coordinator so the case is attached to this recall.
  4. Tell anyone else who eats from your kitchen, including childminders, schools and anyone catering an event you contributed to.

How to get your money back

Food recalls carry a full refund, and in the United States you usually do not need the receipt or the packaging.

  • Take the product, or your photo of the label, to the customer service desk of the store where you bought it. Nearly every national grocer refunds recalled food on the spot.
  • Bought it online? Open the order in your account and use the refund option; marketplace sellers are required to honour a federal recall.
  • If the store refuses, contact the recalling company using the details on this page. The firm, not the shop, carries the cost of a recall.
  • If you have a loyalty card, the retailer can look the purchase up in your history — Kroger, Costco and Walmart all do this routinely.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased 12-ounce bottles of "Monkey Spit Mop BBQ Sauce, Monkey Spit Swamp BBQ Sauce and Monkey Spit Atomic Mop BBQ Sauce”, are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: Monkey Spit, LLC. — Consumers: 1-714-514-8445, [email protected]

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Monkey Spit sauces & dips recalled?

Undeclared Milk, Soy, and Wheat People who have allergies to milk/wheat/soy run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: best-by date 11/07/2026A or 12/13/2025A. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

If anyone in your household avoids milk, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Consumers who have purchased 12-ounce bottles of "Monkey Spit Mop BBQ Sauce, Monkey Spit Swamp BBQ Sauce and Monkey Spit Atomic Mop BBQ Sauce”, are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists California.

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