Costco Recalls Butter: 80,000 Pounds Impacted
Costco Wholesale Corporation has issued a voluntary recall of approximately 80,000 pounds of butter due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall affects butter sold under the Kirkland Signature brand and distributed across multiple states.
What Butter is Recalled?
The recalled butter is packaged in 1-pound, individually wrapped portions and comes in a 4-pack container. The affected products have a "Best By" date of October 11, 2023, and a "Sell By" date of October 9, 2023. The UPC code for the recalled product is 0016500182593.
Why the Recall?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious illness, especially in pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. In severe cases, Listeriosis can lead to death.
Costco initiated the recall after receiving a positive test result for Listeria monocytogenes from a sample of the butter.
What Should Consumers Do?
If you have purchased the recalled butter, do not consume it. Instead, discard it immediately or return it to the store where you purchased it for a full refund.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Costco's customer service department at 1-800-955-2278.
What is Costco Doing?
Costco is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the source of the contamination and ensure that the recalled product is removed from circulation. The company is also notifying its members and retailers about the recall.
This recall is a reminder to always check product labels and expiration dates before purchasing or consuming food.
Staying Safe with Food Recalls
- Check for recalls: The FDA website is a valuable resource for information on food recalls. You can also sign up for email notifications to be alerted about new recalls.
- Be aware of the symptoms of foodborne illness: If you experience any symptoms after consuming a recalled food, seek medical attention immediately.
- Properly handle and store food: Follow safe food handling practices, such as washing your hands and surfaces thoroughly and cooking food to the proper temperature.
By following these simple steps, you can help protect yourself and your family from foodborne illnesses.