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Costco

You Butter Believe It

Costco has been on quite a roll with recalls lately, from listeria-ridden produce to mislabeled items. However, the latest recall, which includes some 80,000 pounds of butter, has given the internet a reason to mock the beloved warehouse giant. Here is everything you need to know.

slobo/istockphoto

What Costco’s Pulling Off the Shelves

On Oct. 11, Costco recalled 2,200 cases of its Kirkland Signature butter produced by Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC and sold in Texas. According to the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), the recalled butter was missing allergen information on the packaging. Specifically, the labels lacked the mandatory "Contains Milk" statement, which is essential for individuals with milk allergies.

littleny/istockphoto

FDA Update

On Nov. 7, the FDA updated the recall to a Class II, a less serious classification where “use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, with a remote probability of serious adverse health consequences.” 


The FDA also clarified that while the label states the butter is made from cream, it still misses the essential "Contains Milk" statement.

world.openfoodfacts.org

Which Products Are Involved?

Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter: 1-pound packages of four 4-ounce sticks, UPC 96619-38496:

  1. Lot No. 2424091; “Best By” date of Feb. 22, 2025
  2. Lot No. 2424111; “Best By” date of Feb. 23, 2025
  3. Lot No. 2426891; “Best By” date of March 22, 2025
  4. Lot No. 2426991; “Best By” date of March 23, 2025

Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter: 1-pound packages of four 4-ounce sticks, UPC 96619-38488:

  1. Lot #2424191 with “Best By” date of Feb. 23, 2025
  2. Lot #2427591 with “Best By” date of March 29, 2025

frOg/X

Social Media’s Reaction

There’s nothing the internet loves more than a reason to mock, and Costco recalling 80,000 pounds of butter for not saying it contains milk gave people a field day. “In other news... Ice is made from water. Who knew?” one X user joked.


Another X user asked, “Can y’all please safely dispose of it at my house? I have a lot of holiday baking to do.”  


Aside from the mockery, some were actually grateful for the FDA’s attention to detail, with one Reddit user saying, “Seems a little silly, but as someone with food allergies, I take comfort in the thoroughness of our food safety systems.” 


Others were downright annoyed with Costco being wasteful, with one user asking, “Have they considered getting a ton of stickers that say it contains milk and putting them on?”


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