Class II U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Vintage Roots Root Beer Syrup, packaged in glass bottle recall: Unapproved food additive: sassafras bark

Recall published 3 months ago

Unapproved food additive: sassafras bark.

The hazard: Mislabelling or misbranding

The product and the packaging do not match. For most people that is an annoyance; for anyone reading the label for a medical reason it is a genuine risk.

What the notice says: Unapproved food additive: sassafras bark.

Why it matters: The product carries the wrong label, the wrong lid or the wrong packaging. The food inside is generally fine; the problem is that the package describes something else, which defeats anyone relying on it.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

There is no illness associated with mislabelling itself. The exception is where the undeclared contents include an allergen, in which case treat it as an allergen recall and watch for the reaction that person normally has.

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

Recall number
H-1177-2026
Published
July 29, 2026
Risk level
Class II
Status
Terminated
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Vintage Roots LLC
Product type
Beverages
Units affected
7 bottles
Distribution
Montana
Made in
United States
Lot / code info
Lot Code: 051626-1 Use By May 2027

Products covered by this recall

Vintage Roots Root Beer Syrup, packaged in glass bottle. Net Wt. 8oz. (236.6 mL). Distributed by Vintage Roots, PO Box 12, Brady, MT 59416. The product label declares: Ingredients: Filtered Water, Pure Cane Sugar, Sassafras Bark, Burdock Roots, Wild Cherry Bark, Molasses, Fresh Lemon Juice, Star Anise, Coriander Seeds, Whole Clove, Wintergreen Extract (no alcohol).

Check your product

The notice names 2 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Package size

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

  • 8 oz
  • 236.6 mL

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Mislabelled

Vintage Roots LLC — The product and the packaging do not match. For most people that is an annoyance; for anyone reading the label for a medical reason it is a genuine risk.

  1. Read the official notice to see what is actually inside the pack, then decide whether anyone in your home needs to avoid it.
  2. If the undeclared contents include an allergen, treat it as an allergen recall and stop serving it to anyone affected.
  3. Return it for a refund; a mislabelled pack is returnable whether or not it is edible for your household.
  4. Keep a photo of the mismatched label, which makes the refund conversation much shorter.

Getting a refund without the pack

The commonest reason people skip the refund is that they have already thrown the item away. That rarely matters.

  • A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.
  • Store credit is often offered first. You can ask for the original payment method instead, and it is normally granted.
  • No photo either? Ask anyway. Grocery chains settle recall refunds at the service desk because disputing them costs more than paying them.
  • For a multi-pack or a case, ask for the full purchase price rather than a per-unit figure — the recall covers what you paid.

Company contact: Vintage Roots LLC — 701 S Wisconsin St, Conrad, MT, 59425-2655

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 — Food & cosmetics enforcement record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Vintage Roots LLC beverages recalled?

Unapproved food additive: sassafras bark. Unapproved food additive: sassafras bark.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official FDA — Food & cosmetics enforcement record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Read the official notice to see what is actually inside the pack, then decide whether anyone in your home needs to avoid it.

Can I get my money back?

A photo of the label and lot code is accepted by most grocers, and so is a card statement line showing the purchase.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Montana.

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