It really could be poorly stirred sauce. The closer it is to "real" the more likely there are to be real kitchen inconsistencies, in my experience. You could get in touch with the company and ask. I've seen "Alfredo" sauces that have obvious pepper flecks in them. Even if it's just fine, the company will probably send you coupons just for asking. :)

I had a jar of tomato sauce go bad way before the expiration date, and I have not bought any since then and have been making my own with 6-in-one canned tomatoes, which I like better anyway. I do understand the convenience of having a sauce in a jar, however.

I have read that Alfredo sauce is American (or American-Italian) instead of Italian, and personally I cannot eat it because of all the cream. I also do not like nutmeg in sauces, and the recipes I've seen have that in them. I make a clam sauce instead.

Might it have been a bit of burnt 'something'(like residue from cooker?), like those dark hard clumps sometimes found in bags of chips? Nothing poisonous, just unsightly &/or yucky-tasting?

Lars, I'm pretty sure the Alfredo restaurant is still open in Italy. The Italian version has butter and Parmesan which melt together to form the sauce, and pepper. The additions of eggs and/or cream and nutmeg are the American part.

If you Google 'Bertolli Alfredo Black Specks' you'll get several hits where other people have reported this. At least one dates back to 2011.

No definitive answer. But it is probably black pepper or some herb that turns dark with processing that you're seeing. I don't think it's spoiled.

Just call Bertolli and ask. Here's the contact info:

1-800-670-7356 Monday-Friday, 8:30 A.M.-6:00 P.M. Eastern Time

I'll be in Rome in June, but I doubt I will visit the Alfredo Restaurant, although the Italian version with butter, Parmesan, and pepper is something that I make myself, although I did not know to call it Alfredo. It is the American additions that I do not like.

I am going to call this minute because I've been so super busy I put it off....get back to you shortly!

I got off track and busy with work so I am on hold right now. I need to set alerts or something so I don't ignore responses. As I said before spices are at the end of the ingredient list and that is what concerned me.

I spoke with a really nice rep. who assured me it is pepper but said she would be glad to send coupons. I doubt they would say it is ok if it isn't just looks very odd.

I

I want to add that while I normal make homemade Bertolli's is not bad with a little fresh herbs for a quick dinner. Bertolli's and Five Brothers are the only store sauces I buy. We do have a local restaurant who sell sauce that I will pick up occasionally but really with canned San Marzano and spices and garlic I like to make my own tomato. Some nights I am very lazy though!

The sauce that I had that went back had mold growing on the top, and the seal was obviously broken, as the top bulged slightly. If the top on yours is tight and the seal has not been broken, it probably is not spoiled, but you will be able to tell if you open it. It is possible that some jars get more black pepper than others, and I cannot imagine what the black specs would otherwise be.

Can you post a photo of it?

I will try....I still have a "smart" phone. Going to try.

Stupid question....when I respond how do I link a file of a pic?

Question....is there a way to "tag" others in your posts here? I the other two boards I participate in you can tag someone they know you responded.

I have tried to respond privately to a couple responders but it you are a pro you can't unless you are soliciting business....maybe I am mistaken. I participate in other sites that seem a bit easier to navigate. Thanks to all who respond to my posts....

Anne, it looks like pepper that maybe wasn't ground as finely as it could have been. Maybe it was shipped or shelved on its side so the pepper settled against the glass? Or maybe pepper just sticks to glass when the sauce is so thick? Lars is right--be careful while opening it to mark any irregularities with the seal, but if they've said it's fine they must be used to people calling to ask about the black spots.

You don't need to defend your use of a commercial product. Some here grow their own. Not all. I make and freeze my own spaghetti sauce (a ragu, actually), and make other kinds of sauces from scratch, but I always have a jar of Rao's, usually arrabbiata, for when I need a couple of tablespoons of sauce for a sandwich or something, and I don't have any homemade in the fridge. It's perfectly fine to use a jar when you're tired--or just because you like it!

So, regarding tagging posts, this forum doesn't work that way, but if you go to Your Houzz (upper right of screen), you'll see your dashboard which has recent activity on threads you've posted on. This might be sufficient for your purposes. It usually is on the first screen, and there's also an Activity page with a link on the menu under the banner. From the Activity page you can also select "your comments" (posts you've made) and "posts you've started" (= threads you've started) from the menu on the left side of the page.

If that's not enough for you, you can edit your profile (button on right side of banner picture), choose "advanced settings" from the Account menu on the left hand side of the page, and customize your e-mail notifications. There's a whole big list of circumstances that you can choose to be notified about, such as someone has replied to your thread ("post").

Yes i just took out a bottle that is supposed to expire in 2023 but its spoiled already. horrible

But we can tag people now!

I just came here 4/17/23 I have the same thing on a jar I bought at Kroger today. I'll post a pic. I don't think it's pepper.....I'm not eating it.

The photos above look like Bertolli Creamy Basil Alfredo.

https://www.bertolli.com/pasta-sauces/creamy-basil-alfredo-aged-parmesan-cheese/

The 'spots' are most likely bits of basil.

I have same! My jars seal was popped up as well.