Costco Recalls 80,000 Pounds of Butter Due to Potential Listeria Contamination
Costco Wholesale Corporation has issued a voluntary recall of approximately 80,000 pounds of Kirkland Signature Organic Salted Butter due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall affects butter products sold in packages with a "best by" date of June 17, 2024, and a UPC code of 00011110641111.
Why is this important? Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in young children, frail or elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, as listeria can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or serious infection in newborns.
What should consumers do? Costco is urging customers who have purchased the affected butter to immediately discard it. Do not eat it, and do not use it for cooking or baking. The butter should be thrown away in a sealed container that cannot be accessed by pets or children.
How to identify the recalled butter:
- "Best by" date: June 17, 2024
- UPC code: 00011110641111
- Product description: Kirkland Signature Organic Salted Butter
Where was the butter sold? The affected butter was sold at Costco locations nationwide.
What is Costco doing? Costco is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to investigate the source of the potential contamination. They are also notifying customers through their website, social media, and email.
What about refunds? Customers who have purchased the recalled butter can return it to any Costco location for a full refund.
Important safety tips:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
- Clean and sanitize all surfaces and utensils that have come into contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs.
- Cook food to the proper internal temperature.
- Refrigerate perishable foods promptly.
- Avoid cross-contamination by separating raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from ready-to-eat foods.
If you have any concerns about your health or the health of someone you know, please contact your healthcare provider immediately.
For more information about the recall, please visit the FSIS website or contact Costco's customer service department.
This is a serious food safety issue, and it is important to take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your family. By discarding the recalled butter and following the safety tips above, you can reduce the risk of listeriosis.