Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, LLC recalled nearly 80,000 lbs of Costco butter on October 11. The firm-initiated recall on Costco Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter and Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter was enforced due to a missing disclaimer about milk as an ingredient. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated the recall of 79,200 lbs of butter, classifying the recall as Class II on November 7.
Costco butter recall: What happened?
The FDA recalled 46,800 lbs or 1,300 cases of Costco Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter and 32,400 lbs or 900 cases of Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter. Each recalled product was a 4-stick pack. According to the FDA, the recall was initiated since the packaging was missing a disclaimer. The brand’s butter lists cream as one of its ingredients on the packaging but doesn’t mention that the product “contains milk.”
While the recall was initiated on October 11, the FDA labeled the product the second highest risk classification on November 7. According to the federal agency, a Class II recall means that the recalled product can cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.” Meanwhile, the agency revealed that the Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest, LLC’s recall was voluntary. There was no press release involved.
FDA cited the reason for recall in its report as “Butter lists cream, but may be missing the Contains Milk statement.” The Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter had February 23 and March 29, 2025, as the “best by” dates for its two lots. Meanwhile, the four lots of Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter had February 22, 23, March 22, and 23 as the “best by” dates.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2024 (FALCPA) lists milk as one of its nine major food allergens. It requires that the food labels identify the food source name of all the major food allergens used in making food.
Originally reported by Varsha Narayanan on Mandatory.