Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce recall: Due to Undeclared Fish

Recall published 2+ years ago

Due to Undeclared Fish

Publix Deli Sauces & dips — recalled sauces & dips
Photo published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Undeclared fish or shellfish

An undeclared allergen — fish or shellfish — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

What the notice says: People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to fish (anchovy) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

Why it matters: The label does not declare fish or shellfish, 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 8, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Publix Deli
Product type
Sauces & dips
Distribution
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Sold at
Publix
UPC codes
041415571624
Reports of harm
To date, there have been no reported cases of illness.

Products covered by this recall

Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce

What the company announced

Ventura Foods of Brea, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2024) – has initiated a voluntary recall on Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce sold exclusively at Publix Super Markets, Inc., because it contains Traditional Sweet & Spicy BBQ Sauce that may contain a fish (anchovy) allergen that is not declared on the label. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to fish (anchovy) run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

This recall only impacts Publix Deli Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce with the use by date of April 08, 2024. This product was sold at Publix stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virgina.

The product details are as follows:

  • Product Name: Carolina-Style Mustard BBQ Sauce · Package Size: 2oz package – individually sold · UPC Code: 0 41415 57162 4 · Use By Date: APR 08 24B

To date, there have been no reported cases of illness.

If consumers have a product affected by this recall, they are advised to discard it immediately or return the product to their local store for a full refund. Consumers who have additional questions should call Ventura Foods Customer Relations at (888) 500-0086 Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm CT.

Publix Super Markets have removed all affected products from its shelves. No other Ventura Foods products are affected by this recall.

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.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 041415571624

Best-by / use-by date

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

  • April 08, 2024
  • APR 08 24B

Package size

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

  • 2 oz

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 Fish

Publix Deli — An undeclared allergen — fish or shellfish — is the whole reason for this notice. The food itself is not spoiled or contaminated.

  1. If anyone in your household avoids fish or shellfish, 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.

Refunds, and what else you can claim

The purchase price is the floor, not the ceiling. Where a recall caused you a real cost, say so.

  • Claim the refund at the store first; it is the fastest route and needs the least paperwork.
  • If you bought several packs over time, list them. Firms routinely settle for more than a single unit when a customer asks.
  • Medical costs, lost earnings or a spoiled event are not handled at the service desk. Write to the company contact on this page instead, with dates and documents.
  • Keep copies of everything you send. If a recall caused harm, that file is what any later claim rests on.

Remedy named in the notice: If consumers have a product affected by this recall, they are advised to discard it immediately or return the product to their local store for a full refund.

Company contact: Ventura Foods — Consumers: Ventura Foods Customer Relations, (888) 500-0086

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 Publix Deli sauces & dips recalled?

Due to Undeclared Fish People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to fish (anchovy) 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: UPC 041415571624; best-by date April 08, 2024 or APR 08 24B. 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 fish or shellfish, stop serving the product immediately and check whether any was used in food already prepared.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: If consumers have a product affected by this recall, they are advised to discard it immediately or return the product to their local store for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.

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