NATIONWIDE – Costco has alerted members to several recent product recalls impacting popular food items due to potential contamination risks, including Listeria, Salmonella, and foreign materials.

• Affected Products – Recalls include specific dairy products from Rizo-López Foods, certain Quaker Oats granola bars and cereals, and select Tillamook cheese items sold in Costco warehouses.
• Stated Reasons – The recalls were initiated due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, or foreign materials like gray and black plastic pieces.
• Customer Action – Costco advises customers not to consume the products and to return them to any Costco warehouse for a full refund.

These recalls have prompted questions from consumers about which specific products are unsafe and what steps they should take. Here is a breakdown of the key recalls and the official guidance.

Which Dairy and Cheese Products Are Recalled?

Two significant recalls have impacted cheese and dairy products sold at Costco.

The first involves a wide range of dairy products manufactured by Rizo-López Foods, Inc., which were recalled due to a potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Products sold at Costco under this recall included certain batches of Don Pancho Cilantro Lime Crema, the Southwest Chicken Wrap with Sauce, and various cheese products.

A second, separate recall was issued by Tillamook County Creamery Association for specific lots of 32-ounce twin-packs of Tillamook Colby Jack and Tillamook Monterey Jack cheese slices. The reason cited was the potential presence of foreign material, specifically small gray and black plastic pieces. The recall is limited to products with a “Best If Used By” date of October 22, 2024.

Which Snack and Cereal Products Are Affected?

PepsiCo, the parent company of Quaker Oats, recalled specific granola bars and cereals due to potential contamination with Salmonella. This bacterium can cause symptoms like fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

The affected products sold at Costco include the Quaker Chewy Granola Bars variety pack and certain boxes of Quaker Oats Simply Granola. Consumers are urged to check their pantries for these items and verify the specific UPC codes and “Best Before” dates listed in the official recall notices from the FDA and the manufacturer. What makes this recall notable is its broad scope, affecting a very popular and widely distributed snack item.

What Is Costco’s Recall Process and What Should You Do?

If you have purchased any of the affected products, the guidance from both the manufacturers and Costco is clear: do not consume them.

Costco utilizes its membership data to directly notify members who have purchased a recalled item. These notifications are typically sent via mail or email, providing specific details about the product.

The return process is straightforward. Customers should return the unused portion of the product to any Costco warehouse to receive a full and immediate refund. In many cases, customers who have received a recall notification letter can receive a refund without returning the physical product, though policies may vary. There is no need to find the original receipt, as the purchase is tied to the membership account.