The Department of Consumer Protection Food and Standards Division of Connecticut has issued a Cease-and-Desist order to Phire in the Hole hot sauce maker because there is a risk the products could be contaminated with botulism. The government has asked the company to voluntarily remove its products from the market after complaints from several local health departments. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these items.
These items were manufactured without an approved process or a required license. Failure to correctly process acidified or low acid canned foods can result in Clostridium botulinum spores creating the botulism toxin. The business has refused to recall its products and has not responded to the Cease-and-Desist order.
These items were distributed in the state of Connecticut ut through Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in the city of Shelton from November 2025 through August 16, 2026. It is unclear if these products were distributed anywhere else. Products for sale at Beardsley’s Cider Mill were embargoed by the Food and Standard’s division.
The recalled items are packaged in 5 ounce bottles with these names:
P.I.T.H BBQ
VK Vamps Kryptonite
Lemon Pucker Punch
The Hawaiian Ghost
Boo Bee Q
Reaper Creeper
Box of Phire that contains four product varieties: Reaper Creeper, Lemon Pucker Punch, VK Vamps Kryptonite, and PH3
Symptoms of botulism food poisoning usually appear 6 to 36 hours after consuming food with the toxin, although some people may not get sick until 10 days later. Symptoms begin with double vision, blurred vision, dilated pupils, drooping eyelids, and difficulty focusing eyes. They can also include difficulty speaking, facial muscle weakness, a frozen expression, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and slow reflexes. Gastrointestinal symptoms can include diarrhea or constipation, nausea, and vomiting.
These products do not have a UPC number or a product code. If you bought any of these products, do not eat them. You can throw them away in a secure trash can with a tight fitting lid after first double wrapping or bagging them so other people can’t see them, or you can take them back to the store where you purchased them for a full refund.
