Costco’s renowned Kirkland Signature butter, beloved by shoppers for its quality, is at the center of a significant recall involving nearly 80,000 pounds of butter. This recall springs from concerns over undeclared milk allergens—an issue both alarming and, somewhat amusingly, ironic, considering butter is inherently derived from milk.
The culprit behind this recall, initiated last month, is Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC, which discovered through routine checks on product labels and packaging materials, “contains milk” language was missing. The products affected include both salted and unsalted varieties of Kirkland Signature butter.
Specifically, the recall affects the Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter and the Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter, amounting to 46,800 pounds of unsalted butter and 32,400 pounds of salted. The sealing oversight raised flags with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which classified this as a Class II recall—a designation indicating potential short-term or reversible health effects, yet with low probability of severe adverse health impacts.
The recalled butter products include:
- Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter: 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).
- Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter: Lot # 2424191 (Best By Feb 23, 2025), Lot # 2427591 (Best By Mar 29, 2025).
According to the FDA, it is important for individuals with food allergies to be vigilant. Milk allergy is one of the eight primary allergens as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and alarming reactions can range from mild symptoms such as hives to life-threatening conditions like anaphylaxis. The law, governed by the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, mandates producers to clearly specify any major allergens present on product labels.
Shoppers have been advised to discontinue use of the recalled butter immediately and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Costco has not formally announced whether the butter was distributed beyond Texas, where it was initially made available.
Interestingly, reactions on social media to the recall mix humor with incredulity—shouldn't consumers realize butter is made from milk? Yet, the FDA guidelines exist to protect those who might be caught off guard by the omission of such labeling.
This recall is not the first food safety issue to plague Costco recently. A separate incident saw another product—a popular item among customers—being recalled for different reasons involving potential contamination with foreign materials. Just as Costco leans heavily on its reputation for quality among its diverse food offerings, it now has the delicate task of managing customer assurance with these unexpected recalls.
Regardless, shoppers are encouraged to be vigilant, check pantry shelves, and return any recalled butter products for safety. The importance of consumer awareness cannot be overstated as manufacturers work to uphold safety standards and comply with regulations aimed at keeping everyone safe.
While recalling butter might sound like a trivial inconvenience, it emphasizes the necessity of adhering strictly to labeling laws and consumer safety protocols—both for producers and consumers alike. With humor on one side and serious health concerns on the other, this recall serves as both reminder and cautionary tale for customers and manufacturers alike.
