Trader Joe’s has issued a critical recall for its popular Hot Honey Mustard Dressing due to undeclared allergens that could potentially be life-threatening for millions of Americans with food sensitivities.
At a Glance
- Trader Joe’s Hot Honey Mustard Dressing has been recalled due to missing allergen warnings for peanuts, soy, sesame, and wheat
- The FDA issued a Class I risk warning, their highest level, indicating potential life-threatening health consequences
- Affected products have a ‘Use By’ date of May 27, 2025 and product code 80152, sold across 17 states and Washington DC
- No illnesses have been reported, but customers should return the product for a refund or dispose of it
- This marks Trader Joe’s third product recall since February 2025
Missing Allergens Trigger High-Risk Recall
Fresh Creative Foods, the manufacturer of Trader Joe’s Hot Honey Mustard Dressing, initiated the recall after discovering a critical labeling error that omitted warnings for four major allergens: peanuts, soy, sesame, and wheat. The recall impacts 12-ounce bottles with a May 27, 2025 use-by date and product code 80152. These products were distributed across multiple states including Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington DC.
The FDA has classified this as a Class I recall, its most serious category, defined as “a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use of, or exposure to, a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
Millions at Risk from Undisclosed Allergens
Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from allergies to peanuts, soy, sesame, and wheat, with peanut allergies being particularly common and potentially severe. For these individuals, consuming products containing these allergens can trigger anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate emergency treatment. The severity of this risk prompted the manufacturer and retailer to act swiftly despite no reported illnesses or customer complaints connected to the dressing.
“At Trader Joe’s, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our customers and Crew Members. With this in mind, we do the daily work to make certain our products meet our stringent food safety expectations. We don’t take any chances when it comes to product safety and quality.” said Trader Joe’s.
The recall was announced on March 30, 2025, and officially published by the FDA the following day. Customers with concerns can contact Fresh Creative Foods directly at 888-223-2127, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time for additional information about the recall.
Third Recent Recall for Popular Grocery Chain
This Hot Honey Mustard Dressing recall marks the third product withdrawal for Trader Joe’s since February 2025. The chain previously recalled Gerolsteiner Sparkling Natural Mineral Water and Acai Bowl frozen meals for separate issues. These successive recalls highlight the ongoing challenges food retailers face in maintaining product safety and accurate labeling across thousands of products, especially for items containing common allergens that affect millions of consumers.
“We value information and clear communication. Should a recall become necessary, we waste no time in providing our customers details. Our recall-related communications go well beyond regulatory requirements: We share news through in-store signs, on our website, and through email alerts.” said Trader Joe’s.
Trader Joe’s is taking precautionary measures by encouraging customers who purchased the affected dressing to either return it to any Trader Joe’s location for a full refund or simply dispose of it. The grocery chain emphasized its commitment to customer safety and proactive approach to addressing potential health hazards, even in cases where no adverse effects have been reported.
