A voluntary recall has been initiated for approximately 80,000 pounds of Costco’s “Kirkland Signature” brand butter due to a packaging error that omitted a critical advisory.
The issue stems from the absence of the “Contains Milk” statement on the product packaging, despite the fact that cream—an ingredient in the butter—naturally contains milk. Although this may seem like an obvious point, federal regulations are strict about labeling accuracy for food products.
This recall primarily affects butter supplied by Continental Dairy Facilities Southwest LLC, based in Littlefield, Texas. The recall was officially announced on October 11 and pertains specifically to butter distributed in Texas.
Here are the details of the affected butter products:
For salted sweet cream butter:
– Lot 2424191, best by date: February 23, 2025
– Lot 2427591, best by date: March 29, 2025
For unsalted sweet cream butter:
– Lot 2424091, best by date: February 22, 2025
– Lot 2424111, best by date: February 23, 2025
– Lot 2426891, best by date: March 22, 2025
– Lot 2426991, best by date: March 23, 2025
Importantly, the recall does not indicate any defects in the butter itself. The FDA categorizes this as a “Class II” recall, which means that while there is a minor risk involved, the likelihood of serious health consequences is low, and any potential effects are mostly reversible.
This recall serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency in food labeling and the vigilance of regulatory bodies in ensuring consumer safety. Customers can take comfort in knowing that precautions are in place to maintain high safety standards. As this situation unfolds, it also highlights the industry’s commitment to rectify errors promptly, ensuring that consumers have access to safe and properly labeled products.