HARTFORD, Conn. (September 11, 2026). The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection issued a cease-and-desist order to Phire in the Hole over hot sauces that may pose a botulism risk.
According to the department, the Monroe, Connecticut company manufactured the products without an approved process or required license. Regulators asked the company to voluntarily remove the sauces from the market. However, Phire in the Hole declined to recall them and has not responded to the order.
So far, no illnesses have been reported.
Phire in the Hole consumer alert: quick summary
The alert covers several Phire in the Hole hot sauces sold in 5 oz bottles through Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton, Connecticut. Known distribution occurred from November 2025 through August 17, 2026.
Notably, the products do not carry UPC numbers or product codes. As a result of the potential botulism risk, Connecticut regulators advise consumers not to eat the affected sauces.
Official consumer alert details
- Consumer alert date: September 11, 2026
- Announced by: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
- Company: Phire in the Hole
- Products: Multiple hot sauce varieties
- Issue: Products manufactured without an approved process or required license, creating a potential botulism risk
- Package size: 5 oz bottles
- UPC/Product codes: None
- Known distribution: Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton, Connecticut
- Distribution period: November 2025 through August 17, 2026
- Reported illnesses: None reported to date
- Consumer action: Do not consume the affected hot sauces
- Consumer contact: [email protected]
- Want to know more about what happened? Keep reading.
What happened?
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Food and Standards Division issued a cease-and-desist order to Phire in the Hole following complaints from several local health departments. Regulators also asked the company to voluntarily remove its hot sauces from the market.
According to the department, the company manufactured the products without an approved process or required license. However, Phire in the Hole declined to recall the sauces and has not responded to the order.
The company distributed the products through Beardsley’s Cider Mill & Orchard in Shelton from November 2025 through August 17, 2026. However, regulators said they do not know whether the company distributed them elsewhere.
Additionally, the Food and Standards Division embargoed products still available for sale at Beardsley’s Cider Mill. So far, no illnesses have been reported.
Affected products
Product | Package size | UPC/Product code | Known distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
P.I.T.H BBQ | 5 oz | None | Connecticut |
VK Vamps Kryptonite | 5 oz | None | Connecticut |
Lemon Pucker Punch | 5 oz | None | Connecticut |
The Hawaiian Ghost | 5 oz | None | Connecticut |
Boo Bee Q | 5 oz | None | Connecticut |
Reaper Creeper | 5 oz | None | Connecticut |
Box of Phire, containing Reaper Creeper, Lemon Pucker Punch, VK Vamps Kryptonite, and PH3 | 5 oz bottles | None | Connecticut |
What caused the issue?
According to Connecticut regulators, Phire in the Hole manufactured the hot sauces without an approved process or required license. As a result, the products may pose a botulism risk.
The department explained that improper processing of acidified or low-acid canned foods can allow Clostridium botulinum toxin to form. This toxin can cause botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning.
Symptoms may include weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing problems, abdominal distension, and constipation. Therefore, anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Importantly, regulators have not reported detecting Clostridium botulinum or its toxin in the affected products. So far, no illnesses have been reported.
Food Safety Insight
“For acidified and low-acid foods, controlling factors such as formulation and processing conditions is critical because deviations can create an environment where serious microbiological hazards may develop,” said Cherry Ann S. Portugal, Professional Food Technologist at Source86.
“Manufacturers need established processing controls, appropriate verification, and required approvals in place before production begins. These safeguards are especially important for shelf-stable products, where the process itself plays a central role in controlling hazards such as botulism.”
Here’s what you should do
Consumers who have Phire in the Hole hot sauces covered by the alert should:
- Do not consume the affected products.
- Check for the product names P.I.T.H BBQ, VK Vamps Kryptonite, Lemon Pucker Punch, The Hawaiian Ghost, Boo Bee Q, Reaper Creeper, or Box of Phire.
- Keep in mind that the affected products do not have UPC numbers or product codes.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms associated with botulism, including difficulty speaking, swallowing, or breathing.
- Contact the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Food, Standards and Product Safety Division at [email protected] with questions.
Behind the brand
Phire in the Hole is a Monroe, Connecticut-based hot sauce business. Previously, public materials from a Wallingford Garden Market listed the company as a vendor offering a variety of hot sauces.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection says the company manufactured the affected products without an approved process or required license. Additionally, the department said Phire in the Hole declined its request for a voluntary recall and had not responded to the cease-and-desist order as of September 11.
Other relevant recalls
Other Source86 coverage includes recalls involving microbiological hazards and food production or regulatory controls:
- Shanghai Ravioli Corporation Recalls Frozen Buffalo Chicken Products Produced Without Federal Inspection
- Gangothri Foods Recalls Pickled Goat and Chicken Products Produced Without Federal Inspection
- Made Fresh Salads Recalls Deli Salads and Cream Cheese Over Possible Listeria Contamination
- Salata Recalls Jalapeno Avocado Dressing Over Possible Salmonella Contamination
Regulatory context
The Phire in the Hole alert highlights the importance of validated manufacturing processes and regulatory oversight for shelf-stable foods. Acidified and low-acid foods require controls that help prevent conditions that can support dangerous toxin formation.
Therefore, manufacturers, Co-Manufacturers, Co-Packers, and Private Label businesses should address regulatory compliance before products enter commercial distribution. In practice, companies should verify licensing requirements, establish appropriate manufacturing processes, document production controls, and maintain records that support food safety verification.
Ensuring safe eats
Ultimately, the Phire in the Hole consumer alert highlights the importance of validated processes and regulatory compliance for shelf-stable food safety. Manufacturers should maintain controls that address microbiological hazards before products enter distribution.
For now, Connecticut regulators advise consumers not to eat the affected Phire in the Hole hot sauces. Additionally, anyone experiencing symptoms associated with botulism should seek immediate medical attention.
Small-batch hot sauces fall under acidified-food rules when pH and process controls are not documented, and Source86 checks that private-label sauce partners have a filed, scheduled process. Launching a hot sauce or acidified product? Talk to us about process authority requirements.
