Costco Recalls Nearly 80,000 Pounds of Butter Due to Missing Ingredient on Label

In October 2024, Costco recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of its store-brand butter because the product’s label was missing a key ingredient: milk. 

The wholesaler recalled approximately 79,200 pounds of two varieties of butter from its stores. This includes 46,800 pounds of Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter and 32,400 pounds of Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter.

The Food and Drug Administration said both Costco products list cream “but may be missing the Contains Milk statement.” The FDA classified the action as a “Class II” recall, which describes situations in which exposure to the product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”

The recall numbers for the two products are F-0121-2025 and F-0122-2025. The recalling farm is Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC in Littlefield, Texas, which produced the packages of four 4-ounce sticks with the UPC 96619-38496 and 96619-38488. The following lot numbers are affected.

• 2424091: “Best By” date of Feb. 22, 2025 (Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter)
• 2424111: “Best By” date of Feb. 23, 2025 (Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter)
• 2426891: “Best By” date of March 22, 2025 (Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter)
• 2426991: “Best By” date of March 23, 2025 (Kirkland Signature Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter)
• 2424191: “Best By” date of Feb. 23, 2025 (Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter)
• 2427591: “Best By” date of March 29, 2025 (Kirkland Signature Salted Sweet Cream Butter)

The FDA did not provide instructions for customers who have already purchased the butter. Customers should either return the recalled products to Costco for a refund or dispose of the product accordingly.

What Happens During a Product Recall?

Costco recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of butter — and you’ll never guess why. https://t.co/XMrvci9JRJ

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 12, 2024

According to FoodSafety.gov, there are several key steps consumers should take when an item they have purchased is affected by a product recall. These alerts include information to help them identify the recalled product in their pantry, refrigerator, or freezer.

First, they advise consumers not to panic. The government website states, “Most food recalls are not associated with a foodborne illness outbreak, and many recalls are issued because there is a potential for the food to be contaminated. Often, food manufacturers issue a recall as a precautionary measure,” as in the case of the Costco butter recall.

The website advises against eating any recalled food. Also, the food should not be given to pets as they can become quite ill.

The product should not be opened, as cross-contamination can occur on one’s hands. The site also says that hands should be washed thoroughly if contaminated food is touched.

Finally, consumers should follow instructions as to how to dispose of the food. The FDA or the company will always tell customers what to do with the product to remove it from the home.

Costco has not shared details of anyone who has fallen ill from eating the mislabeled butter product.