Popular Pickled Pepper Brand Recalled After TikTok User Claims She Found a Dead Mouse Inside

American Canyon, California — A popular jarred peperoncini product has been voluntarily recalled after a TikTok user allegedly discovered what appeared to be a dead mouse floating inside a 32-ounce jar, prompting an investigation by federal food-safety officials.

Mezzetta, a California-based food company known for its olives, pickled vegetables and pasta sauces, announced the recall of its Golden Creek Peperoncini (Medium Heat) after two TikTok videos showing the alleged pest quickly gained attention online.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said the company contacted the consumer and moved quickly to investigate the report after the videos went viral.

Viral Videos Put Popular Peppers Under the Spotlight

The TikTok user posted two videos appearing to show a potential pest inside a jar of Mezzetta’s Golden Creek Peperoncini. The videos attracted a large number of reactions from other users, with some expressing shock over the alleged discovery. One commenter wrote:

“That’s why they’re in clear jars. You always have to check for dead mice before buying.”

Another user reacted to the situation by saying:

“thats literally the only good brand for pickled peppers im SICK”

The viral attention eventually led to action from Mezzetta and federal officials. According to an FDA announcement released Saturday, Mezzetta issued a voluntary recall of the affected 32-ounce product and began working with the consumer to determine exactly what happened.

FDA Investigation Is Underway

The FDA said the company has requested that the product involved in the original complaint be returned so it can be examined. The agency said:

“We have requested to retrieve and examine the product involved in the original consumer report and are reviewing the relevant production, sanitation and food-safety records as part of our ongoing investigation,”

The company is also examining where the affected product was distributed and taking steps to prevent recalled jars from remaining available for sale.

The FDA added:

“We immediately took action to identify where the product was distributed and worked with affected customers to isolate and remove it from sale. As our investigation continues, we’ll take other appropriate steps as needed,”

The investigation is important because the viral videos alone do not establish how the alleged contamination occurred. Officials are working to examine the actual product and relevant production records before determining the cause.

No Illnesses or Injuries Reported

Despite the alarming allegation, no illnesses or injuries had been reported at the time of the recall announcement.

Consumers who may have purchased the recalled product should check the recall information and avoid consuming an affected product until they determine whether their jar is included.

The recall follows a series of other food-safety actions involving California companies and products.

Other California Food Recalls Raise Food-Safety Concerns

The Mezzetta recall comes as another California-based company has faced action involving contaminated food products.

FDA-Style Recall Warning: Ground Cinnamon Pulled From Stores Over Lead Concerns

Earlier this month, four varieties of raw milk cheese produced by Sierra Nevada Graziers were recalled following E. coli cases reported across nine states.

A much larger recall occurred in December 2025, when nearly 2,000 products, including well-known items such as Cheerios, Skittles and Pringles, were recalled after rodent and bird contamination was discovered at a distribution facility.

Those cases involved different companies and circumstances, but they highlight the importance of food manufacturers maintaining strict sanitation and contamination controls throughout production and distribution.

Mezzetta Is Based in Napa Valley Region

Mezzetta is headquartered in American Canyon, California, in the Napa Valley region.

The company produces a range of foods, including olives, pickled vegetables and pasta sauces. Its peperoncini products are among the items sold to consumers in packaged jars.

For now, the focus remains on the investigation into the specific jar shown in the viral TikTok videos and the recalled product.

Consumers who have purchased the affected peperoncini should pay close attention to the recall information before opening or eating the product.

Have you ever found something unusual inside a packaged food product? Share your experience in the comments and let us know what you would do if you discovered something like this in your food.