Costco Recalls 80,000 Pounds of Kirkland Butter Over Labeling Mistake - What You Need to Know

In an unexpected move, Costco has initiated a recall of nearly 80,000 pounds of its popular Kirkland Signature butter. The issue? A labeling oversight: the butter's packaging failed to declare that it contains milk, a known allergen. This recall has raised concerns among individuals with milk allergies, as consuming products with undeclared allergens can have serious—and sometimes life-threatening—consequences.

What Happened?

The recall, which was initially announced on October 11, 2024, involves both the salted and unsalted varieties of Kirkland Signature Sweet Cream Butter. These products were manufactured by Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC, a Texas-based facility, and distributed mainly in the Texas region. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this voluntary recall affects 1,300 cases (46,800 pounds) of unsalted butter and 900 cases (32,400 pounds) of salted butter. Despite the recalled product containing milk as an ingredient, the packaging neglected to state it.

Details of the Recall

The recall affects two specific varieties of butter:

• Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter: 46,800 pounds
• Salted Sweet Cream Butter: 32,400 pounds

Affected Lots:

• Unsalted:
  • Lot 2424091 – Best By Feb 22, 2025
  • Lot 2424111 – Best By Feb 23, 2025
  • Lot 2426891 – Best By Mar 22, 2025
  • Lot 2426991 – Best By Mar 23, 2025
• Salted:
  • Lot 2424191 – Best By Feb 23, 2025
  • Lot 2427591 – Best By Mar 29, 2025

The products were sold in packages containing four sticks (each weighing four ounces) but failed to include the "Contains Milk" statement on the label, despite listing cream as an ingredient. This omission poses a risk for individuals with milk allergies, as consumption could lead to serious allergic reactions or even anaphylaxis.

FDA Classification

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified this recall as Class II, indicating that exposure to the mislabeled product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, although the likelihood of serious adverse effects is remote. Consumers are advised to either discard the affected butter or return it to Costco for a full refund.

Is My Butter Affected?

If you’ve recently purchased Kirkland Signature butter from any Costco stores in Texas, it’s time to check your fridge. Affected batches include products with distribution dates falling between August and October 2024. Both the unsalted and salted varieties of this house-brand butter are impacted, so it's critical that customers examine their butter’s labels for batch information.

• Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter – 1,300 cases
• Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter – 900 cases

If you discover that your butter is part of the recall, it is recommended that you immediately stop using it, especially if you or anyone in your household has a known milk allergy. For more information, you can also visit the FDA’s official recall announcement.

Public Reaction

The recall has sparked mixed reactions online, with some users expressing humor over the situation while others emphasize the importance of rigorous food safety standards. The incident highlights ongoing discussions about labeling regulations and their implications for consumer safety.

What Should You Do?

Costco has already taken steps to manage this recall, pulling the affected product from its shelves and offering customers a full refund. If you purchased the product, you can return it to your nearest Costco warehouse, even without a receipt, as Costco’s return policy is characteristically lenient.

For those concerned about food safety and allergic reactions, it's always wise to stay updated with the latest product recalls by visiting the FDA’s recall listings. It can also be important to implement strategies for thoroughly reading product labels and understanding possible allergen risks, especially in products as seemingly simple as butter.

Stay Informed—Stay Safe

Food recalls like this demonstrate just how important food safety protocols are and the responsibilities manufacturers have in ensuring accurate labels. With the rise in food sensitivities and allergies, incidents like these highlight the ongoing challenges within the food supply chain.

Conclusion

In closing, Costco's butter recall serves as a reminder that even household staples can be subject to quality control errors. Whether you're managing food allergies or are simply a health-conscious consumer, this incident underscores the importance of reading labels carefully. Check your fridge, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to return the product if it's part of the affected batch.