T.W. Garner Food Company has issued a recall for two of its popular hot sauces—Texas Pete® Habanero Buffalo Sauce and Texas Pete® Sweet CHAbanero Sauce—after it was found that the labels did not properly list all ingredients. This recall was shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a health and safety warning. Consumers who have food allergies or sensitivities are advised to take this seriously.
Why This Recall Matters
Food recalls are becoming more common, especially because of hidden or undeclared ingredients, contamination, or labeling mistakes. In this case, the sauces may include ingredients like sulfites, red habanero peppers, salt, and vinegar that are not mentioned on the labels.
Sulfites can trigger serious allergic reactions, especially for people who are sensitive to them. These reactions can include difficulty breathing, rash, stomach pain, or in rare cases, life-threatening symptoms. That’s why the FDA classified this issue as urgent, even though no illnesses have been reported so far.
Which Sauces Are Being Recalled?
Two sauces are part of this recall:
1. Texas Pete® Habanero Buffalo Sauce
Issue: The bottles may actually contain Sriracha Sauce, which includes sodium bisulfite, a preservative not listed on the label.
Risk: Sulfite allergy or sensitivity.
Labeling Error: Does not mention sulfites.
2. Texas Pete® Sweet CHAbanero Sauce
Issue: The label is missing key ingredients like red habanero peppers, salt, and vinegar.
Risk: Reactions to undisclosed ingredients.
Labeling Error: Missing common ingredients on the label.
These sauces were sold between February 5 and March 26, 2025, in the following U.S. states:
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and Vermont.
What Should You Do If You Have These Products?
If you have bought either of these recalled sauces, do not consume them—especially if you have sulfite sensitivity or food allergies. Instead, return the bottle to the shop where you bought it and ask for a refund, or simply throw it away to stay safe.
If you have any doubts or questions, you can:
Email: ContactUs@garnerfoods.com
Call: (336) 231-6417 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET on weekdays
What Experts Are Saying
According to the FDA, the company discovered the issue during internal testing. They found that some bottles of the Habanero Buffalo Sauce actually contained Sriracha Sauce, which led to the mistake. This mismatch could expose customers to undeclared allergens. The Sweet CHAbanero Sauce also had incorrect labeling, which skipped important ingredients.
Though no one has fallen sick so far, experts stress the importance of proper food labeling, especially for people with food sensitivities or health conditions.
