FDA Announces Recall of More Than 400 Gallons of Hot Sauce for Potential Foreign Object Contamination

The Karma Sauce Company LLC has issued a recall for select Hot Ones-branded Los Calientes Hot Sauces by Heatonist due to a potential presence of foreign material. The sauces were initially recalled on Feb. 14, 2025, and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Class II notice on March 19.

The FDA defines Class II recalls as those where the product has the potential to cause “temporary” or “reversible” health consequences.

How to Identify the Recalled Hot Ones Hot Sauce

Two varieties of the Hot Ones Los Calientes hot sauces are impacted by the recall, including the Rojo and Verde hot sauces. The recall was initiated because plastic contamination was found in more than 400 gallons of the Hot Ones hot sauce.

The recalled sauces were distributed in four states, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, and Ohio, and include both the 5-gallon, 1-gallon, and 5-ounce sizes of the sauce.

You can identify the recalled hot sauces by looking for the following information on the bottles: 

Hot Ones Los Calientes Verde Hot Sauce 5-Gallon Bucket

• UPC: 8-51444-00803-5
• Best-By Date: Feb. 7, 2028

Hot Ones Los Calientes Verde Hot Sauce 1-Gallon Jug

• UPC: 8-51444-00803-5
• Best-By Dates: Feb. 3, 2028; Feb. 4, 2028; and Feb. 7, 2028

Hot Ones Los Calientes Verde Hot Sauce 5-Ounce Bottles

• UPC: 8-51444-00803-5
• Best-By Dates: Dec. 18, 2027; Dec. 19, 2027; Feb. 3, 2028; Feb. 4, 2028; Feb. 5, 2028; Feb. 6, 2028; Feb. 7, 2028; Feb. 11, 2028; Feb. 12, 2028; and Feb. 13, 2028

Hot Ones Los Calientes Rojo Hot Sauce 1-Gallon Jug

• UPC: 8-51444-00810-03
• Best-By Date: Feb. 7, 2028

Hot Ones Los Calientes Rojo Hot Sauce 5-Ounce Bottles

• UPC: 8-51444-00810-03
• Best-By Date: Feb. 10, 2028

No other Hot Ones Los Calientes hot sauces are impacted by this recall. 

What to Do if You Have the Recalled Product

Consumers will likely only have the 5-ounce bottles of hot sauce as the gallon jug and 5-gallon bucket are more suited for restaurants and, of course, the actual “Hot Ones” YouTube show. But, if you have any of the recalled products, you should not consume them. Instead, throw the bottle away or request a refund from the original retailer.

If you purchased a 5-ounce bottle through Hot Ones’ online retail partner Heatonist, you can reach out to the brand directly via ilovehotsauce@heatonist.com to request a refund or with any questions regarding the recall.