A series of recent food safety recalls has put consumers on alert, with three major butter producers pulling tens of thousands of pounds of their products from shelves across the United States. The recalls, affecting brands including Bunge, Costco’s Kirkland Signature, and Cabot Creamery, stem from two distinct issues: undeclared milk allergens and potential bacterial contamination.
The most significant recall in terms of volume comes from Bunge North America Inc., which voluntarily recalled 64,800 pounds of its NH European Style Butter Blend on July 14. According to reports from Yahoo News and the Times of India, the issue was a labeling error where milk, a major allergen, was not declared on the packaging. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently elevated the recall to a Class II classification on July 30. The FDA defines a Class II recall as a situation where exposure to a violative product “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” The affected butter, identified by the lot code 5064036503, was distributed to 12 centers in the U.S. and one in the Dominican Republic. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall.
In a similar incident, Costco recalled nearly 80,000 pounds of its Kirkland Signature salted and unsalted butter. As reported by FoodChain Magazine, this recall was also due to the absence of the required “Contains Milk” allergen statement on the packaging. While butter is inherently a dairy product, federal regulations mandate explicit labeling for the nine major allergens to protect consumers. The affected Kirkland Signature products have ‘best by’ dates ranging from February 22, 2025, to March 29, 2025. Costco has urged customers who purchased the butter to return it to their local warehouse for a full refund.
A different food safety concern prompted a recall from Agri-Mark, the owner of Cabot Creamery. The company recalled 1,700 pounds of its Cabot Creamery 8oz Extra Creamy Premium Butter (Sea Salted) due to potential contamination with coliform bacteria. According to Prevention and Good Housekeeping, the presence of coliform can indicate unsanitary conditions and the possible presence of harmful pathogens like E. coli. However, the FDA has classified this as a Class III recall, its lowest-risk category, suggesting that adverse health consequences are unlikely. Furthermore, a Cabot spokesperson stated that the company successfully recovered 99.5% of the affected lot before it reached consumers, with only 17 packages (8.5 lbs) sold in Vermont. The recalled product has a Best By date of September 9, 2025, and the lot number 090925-055.
These incidents highlight the critical importance of stringent food safety protocols and accurate labeling. Undeclared allergens can cause severe, life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals. Consumers are advised to check their refrigerators and pantries for any of the recalled products. If you have purchased any of the affected butter, do not consume it. It should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Anyone experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction or foodborne illness after consuming a product should seek immediate medical attention.
