The giant retail chain Costco has initiated a massive recall of its Kirkland Signature butter due to a curious—and perhaps ironic—detail: some packages lack the “contains milk” label. Though it may seem obvious, this oversight has led to an alert affecting thousands of customers.

Why did Costco recall the butter?

Costco had to pull 80,000 pounds of its butter from shelves because the products were missing a specific allergy warning: the phrase “contains milk.” This kind of error is taken very seriously by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which classified the incident as a Class II recall. This classification means that, while it’s unlikely to cause serious harm, consuming the product could lead to temporary effects for people with allergies.

What’s the risk with Costco’s butter missing this label?

While some may find it amusing to think that a butter product needs to clarify it contains milk, such warnings are essential to protect individuals with allergies. Milk allergies are among the most common in the United States and can trigger symptoms ranging from hives and breathing difficulties to, in extreme cases, anaphylaxis. The absence of this warning is enough for the FDA to decide that the product shouldn’t be available on the market.

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What Costco butter was recalled?

The recalled products include both the salted and unsalted Kirkland Signature butter. Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, based in Texas, produced these batches for Costco, with expiration dates ranging from February to March 2025. Specifically, the affected products are:

• Kirkland Signature Unsalted Butter (46,800 pounds recalled): 1-pound packages with four 4-ounce sticks each.
• Kirkland Signature Salted Butter (32,400 pounds recalled): Packaged similarly.

What should consumers who purchased Costco’s butter do?

The FDA has not reported any adverse reactions to date, but the usual recommendation is for customers to return the product to the store for a full refund. Of course, if you feel uncertain or unsafe, you can also discard it.

How does this recall affect Costco and its customers?

This recall has raised a few eyebrows and smiles on social media, as it’s ironic that a cream-based product would need to clarify it contains milk. However, the incident highlights the strictness with which the FDA and companies handle food safety standards. Costco, which is currently dealing with a separate recall of ready-made meals due to potential listeria contamination, reaffirms its commitment to safety and transparency for its consumers.

This case reminds us of the importance of accuracy in labeling, even if it may seem excessive at first glance. Will this lead Costco to thoroughly review the labeling of all its products? Undoubtedly, what seems like a minor error emphasizes the care required to comply with food safety standards in today’s market.