The phrase “Costco urgent recall” refers to a rapid alert issued by Costco when one of its products poses a potential health or safety risk to consumers. Rather than a routine or precautionary notice, it signals that you should act quickly—check your purchase, stop using the product, and follow the return/refund instructions.
Costco lists such notices under its “Recalls & Product Notices” page for transparency.
Why did Costco issue a recent urgent recall?
Here are the key details of the most recent urgent recall from Costco:
- Costco issued a voluntary recall of certain prepared food items: the Caesar Salad (Item No. 11444) and the Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (also Item No. 11444) in select regions due to concerns the dressing packets may contain plastic fragments.
- The affected items were sold in the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast U.S., with sell-by dates ranging from mid-October to early November.
- The company leaders and supplier flagged the issue and instructed customers: “Please stop eating the product and return the item to your local Costco for a full refund.”
- More broadly, the recall reflects that contamination incidents (plastic, metal, foreign material) continue to pose threats in food manufacturing and supply chains.
What shoppers should do right now
If you shop at Costco and bought items recently, follow these practical steps:
- Check your kitchen – Especially if you bought a Caesar Salad or Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad from Costco in the affected regions (Midwest, Northeast, Southeast).
- Look at item numbers and sell-by dates – Confirm if they match the recalled lots (for example, Item No. 11444). The dressings in those packs are the issue.
- Stop using the product – Don’t consume, serve, or store it further if it’s part of the recall.
- Return for refund – Bring the item back to Costco (or follow the recall instructions) for a full refund. Costco is offering refunds for these items.
- Monitor for symptoms (in food-related recalls) – If you consumed the item and feel any unusual symptoms (especially with contamination risk), seek medical advice.
Why it matters for you and your household
- Safety first: Foreign material like plastic in food can cause choking, internal damage or other health risks.
- Reputation of retailer: Costco enjoys strong trust for quality and value, so a recall is a significant signal to consumers and supply-chain watchers.
- Supply chain realities: This incident illustrates how a single supplier or processing error (e.g., in a dressing packet) can impact a large retailer and many consumers.
- Proactive consumer role: As a shopper, staying aware of urgent recalls helps you protect your family and avoid hidden risks in everyday purchases.
How to stay ahead of future recalls
- Check Costco’s recall page regularly. Their “Recalls & Product Notices” page lists current issues.
- Sign up for alerts from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Save your receipts and keep packaging info (item number, lot, sell-by date) in case you need to identify a recall.
- Inspect prepared foods, especially if from deli or ready-to-eat sections—these often move fast from production to sale and may carry higher risk if packaging or process fails.
- Educate family members: Make sure everyone who handles groceries knows how to check for recall notices.
