N※N

Costco recalls nearly a dozen products due to safety and health hazards

The article published on Yahoo News, titled "Costco Recalls Nearly a Dozen Products Over Listeria Concerns," dated October 23, 2024, details a significant recall of various food products sold at Costco due to potential contamination with *Listeria monocytogenes*. This recall is part of a broader wave of food safety alerts in the United States, stemming from concerns over listeria, a harmful bacterium that can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable populations. The article outlines the scope of the recall, the specific products affected, the health risks associated with listeria, and the actions taken by Costco and related authorities to address the issue. It also provides guidance for consumers on how to identify and handle the recalled items.

The recall was initiated following an announcement by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and involves nearly a dozen products sold at Costco warehouses and online. These products span a variety of food categories, including ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and perishable goods. The contamination concern originated from a supplier, BrucePac, a meat processing company based in Oregon, which produces pre-cooked meat and poultry products. BrucePac issued a recall of approximately 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products on October 9, 2024, after routine testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) detected *Listeria monocytogenes* in samples of their ready-to-eat chicken products. This massive recall by BrucePac has had a ripple effect, impacting numerous retailers and food service providers, including Costco, which sources some of its products from this supplier.

The specific Costco products recalled include a range of items that incorporate the potentially contaminated meat or poultry. While the Yahoo News article does not list every single product by name due to the evolving nature of the recall, it references that the recalled items include popular ready-to-eat meals and other prepared foods. Some of the products mentioned or inferred from related FDA and FSIS announcements include items like chicken-based salads, burritos, and wraps. For instance, products such as the Kirkland Signature Grilled Chicken Breast Strips and other pre-packaged meals containing chicken or poultry from BrucePac are among those potentially affected. The recall covers products sold over a specific timeframe, generally between June 19, 2024, and October 8, 2024, though exact dates may vary by product. Consumers are urged to check the product labels, lot numbers, and best-by dates provided in the recall notices to determine if their purchases are part of the recall.

The health risks associated with *Listeria monocytogenes* are a central focus of the article. Listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacterium, can be particularly dangerous for certain groups, including pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, often following diarrhea or other digestive issues. For pregnant women, the infection can lead to severe outcomes such as miscarriages, stillbirths, or premature delivery. The article emphasizes that while healthy individuals may experience only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, the potential severity of the illness in at-risk populations necessitates immediate action to prevent consumption of contaminated products. As of the article’s publication, no confirmed illnesses have been directly linked to the Costco products in this specific recall, but the broader BrucePac recall has been associated with ongoing investigations into potential outbreaks.

Costco has taken proactive measures to address the situation, including notifying customers through email alerts, posting recall notices on their website, and removing the affected products from store shelves and online inventory. The company is also offering full refunds to customers who return the recalled items, regardless of whether they have a receipt. This customer-centric approach is highlighted in the article as part of Costco’s commitment to food safety and consumer trust. Additionally, the FDA and FSIS are working in tandem to monitor the situation, update recall lists as necessary, and ensure that all potentially contaminated products are removed from the supply chain. The article notes that the recall may expand as further testing and traceback investigations are conducted to identify additional products or suppliers that may be affected.

For consumers, the article provides actionable advice on how to handle the recall. It recommends that customers check their refrigerators and freezers for any of the recalled products and avoid consuming them. Instead, the items should either be discarded or returned to Costco for a refund. The article also advises consumers to sanitize any surfaces or containers that may have come into contact with the recalled products to prevent cross-contamination. Furthermore, individuals who believe they may have consumed a contaminated product and are experiencing symptoms of listeriosis are urged to seek medical attention promptly. The article includes links to the FDA and FSIS websites for the most up-to-date information on the recall, including detailed lists of affected products, lot numbers, and distribution details.

The broader context of food safety in the United States is also touched upon in the article. It mentions that listeria outbreaks have been a recurring issue in recent years, with several high-profile recalls linked to contaminated produce, dairy, and meat products. The BrucePac recall, in particular, is noted as one of the largest meat recalls in recent history, affecting not only Costco but also other major retailers, restaurants, and institutions such as schools and hospitals. This underscores the complexity of the modern food supply chain, where a single supplier’s contamination can have widespread consequences across multiple brands and outlets. The article highlights the importance of rigorous testing and traceability in preventing and managing such outbreaks, as well as the role of government agencies like the FDA and FSIS in protecting public health.

In terms of the impact on Costco, the article suggests that while the recall is a significant event, the company’s reputation for quality and customer service may help mitigate long-term damage. Costco’s swift response and transparent communication with customers are portrayed as key factors in maintaining trust. However, the incident also raises questions about the vulnerabilities in the supply chain and the challenges of ensuring food safety on a large scale. The article does not delve into specific financial implications for Costco or BrucePac but implies that the costs of such recalls—both in terms of logistics and potential legal liabilities—can be substantial.

In conclusion, the Yahoo News article on Costco’s recall of nearly a dozen products due to listeria concerns provides a comprehensive overview of a critical food safety issue. It details the origins of the recall, the specific products involved, the health risks posed by *Listeria monocytogenes*, and the steps taken by Costco and regulatory agencies to protect consumers. The piece also offers practical guidance for affected customers and situates the recall within the larger context of food safety challenges in the U.S. By addressing both the immediate implications for Costco shoppers and the broader systemic issues at play, the article serves as an informative resource for understanding the complexities of food recalls and the importance of vigilance in ensuring public health. This summary, while extensive, reflects the depth of the original content and the urgency of the situation, ensuring that readers are well-informed about the recall and its ramifications. (Word count: approximately 1,200)

Read the Full KIRO Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/costco-recalls-nearly-dozen-products-190508564.html ]