diff --git a/pizzapi/menu.py b/pizzapi/menu.py
index 9a0718b..c695ba5 100755
--- a/pizzapi/menu.py
+++ b/pizzapi/menu.py
@@ -63,7 +63,9 @@ def build_categories(self, category_data, parent=None):
             category.subcategories.append(new_subcategory)
         for product_code in category_data['Products']:
             if product_code not in self.menu_by_code:
-                raise Exception('PRODUCT NOT FOUND: %s %s' % (product_code, category.code))
+                # Skip products that don't exist in the menu data
+                # This handles phantom references and excluded/unavailable items
+                continue
             product = self.menu_by_code[product_code]
             category.products.append(product)
             product.categories.append(category)