The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a serious warning concerning the recall of Kirkland Signature organic eggs sold at Costco, upgrading the recall to its highest level due to potential salmonella contamination, which can lead to severe illness or even death.
Initially announced on November 27, 2023, the recall was prompted by the detection of salmonella at the facility prior to eggs being shipped. The affected product, distributed by Handsome Brook Farms, includes approximately 10,800 cartons of eggs marked with Julian code 327 and carrying a use-by date of January 5, 2025.
According to the FDA, there’s “a reasonable possibility eating these eggs could result in serious adverse health consequences or death.” Distributed across Costco locations in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, the recall now bears the classification of Class I—indicating it presents the highest level of risk to consumer health.
Handsome Brook Farms, the New York-based farm responsible for the eggs, stated the recall was initiated after it became aware of eggs not meant for retail being improperly packaged and shipped. The company assured consumers it is taking corrective actions, saying, “We’re implementing additional supply chain controls and retraining to prevent future issues.”
The 24-count packages of organic pasture-raised eggs were sold at 25 Costco locations starting November 22, 2023. The FDA's reclassification of the recall means heightened vigilance for consumers who may have purchased these eggs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns salmonella infections can be severe, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms often include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, typically presenting six hours to six days after consuming contaminated products.
For those who might have these eggs at home, the FDA strongly advises against consumption. Customers are encouraged to return the affected products to Costco for full refunds or to dispose of them safely.
So far, there have been no reported illnesses linked to this specific batch of eggs. Nonetheless, the precautionary measures implemented by the FDA and Costco aim to mitigate the risk of any potential salmonella outbreaks arising from these products.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety standards and vigilant monitoring within the supply chain. The FDA and industry partners are committed to ensuring public safety and preventing future occurrences of similar issues.
Consumers are left to weigh the risks of food consumption carefully and stay informed about product safety recalls, especially when the health of vulnerable groups is at stake.
