Costco customers across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast were handed an unsettling reminder last week: even the most trusted bulk retailers aren’t immune to food safety failures. On Costco Wholesale, the retail giant behind Kirkland Signature and $1.50 hot dogs, issued a voluntary recall on , for two popular ready-to-eat items — Caesar Salad (Item #19927) and Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (Item #11444) — after plastic fragments were found in the dressing packets. The joint announcement, made with Valentura Foods, the supplier of the dressing, sent shockwaves through a customer base that relies on Costco for convenience and perceived safety. The affected products carried sell-by dates between and , meaning shoppers who bought them in mid-October might still have them tucked in their fridges. And here’s the thing: the plastic isn’t just a nuisance. It’s a choking hazard.
What Happened and Who’s Affected?
The contamination was detected during routine quality checks at Valentura Foods’ packaging facility, according to the recall notice. Though no injuries have been reported, the risk was deemed serious enough to trigger an immediate action. The recall covers products sold at select Costco warehouses — not every location. The company’s official recall page lists the affected regions but doesn’t name specific stores, leaving customers to cross-reference their receipts. Vallejo, California was mentioned in media reports as an example location, but it’s unclear if any stores there were actually included. The real concern? Dressing packets. They’re small. Easy to overlook. And if you’re like millions of Costco shoppers, you’ve probably tossed the salad into a bowl and drizzled the dressing without a second thought.According to Sophia Compton of Fox 13 News, who broke the story on , Costco’s official notice urges customers to “stop eating the product and return the item to your local Costco for a full refund.” No receipt? No problem. The chain’s policy is famously customer-friendly — and this time, it’s a lifeline.
A Pattern, Not an Isolated Incident
This isn’t the first time Costco Wholesale has had to pull products off shelves in 2025. Earlier in November, F&F Fine Wines International Inc. recalled over 900,000 bottles of Kirkland Signature prosecco due to shattering glass risks. In June, Topo Chico Mineral Water (18-pack) was pulled for bacterial contamination. April saw a recall of prepared sandwiches and salads for Listeria. Even eggs weren’t safe — a July-September salmonella outbreak affected two states. And now, plastic in dressing packets.It’s not just Costco. The Street reported that over 300 food recalls occurred nationwide in 2025 — a 22% jump from 2024. Supply chain fragmentation, increased outsourcing, and pressure to scale production quickly have created cracks in the system. “Recalls are costly,” said an unnamed food safety analyst familiar with FDA protocols. “But the real cost is trust. Once customers start questioning whether their salad is safe, they don’t come back.”
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Costco’s business model thrives on loyalty. Members pay $60 a year for the promise of value, consistency, and safety. When that promise breaks — especially over something as simple as a dressing packet — the fallout isn’t just financial. It’s psychological. A 2024 Consumer Reports survey found that 68% of shoppers would switch retailers after a single food safety incident. For Costco, which boasts 118 million members globally, even a 1% erosion in trust could mean millions in lost revenue and membership renewals.What’s worse? The recall notice doesn’t mention whether the plastic came from packaging machinery, conveyor belts, or even human error. That lack of transparency leaves customers guessing. And in the age of TikTok food safety detectives and Reddit recall threads, silence breeds suspicion. The FDA and USDA are monitoring the situation, but neither has issued a public statement — a quiet signal that this is still being treated as a contained, company-led issue.
What You Should Do Now
If you bought either product between October 17 and November 9, 2025 — check your fridge. Look at the packaging. Item #19927. Item #11444. The sell-by date. Even if the salad’s gone bad, don’t throw it out. Return it. Get your money back. And if you’ve already eaten it? Monitor for symptoms: nausea, stomach cramps, or difficulty swallowing. Seek medical attention if needed.And here’s the smart move: sign up for recall alerts from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These aren’t just bureaucratic footnotes — they’re your personal safety net. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also maintains a public recall database. Bookmark it.
What’s Next?
Costco says it’s working with Valentura Foods to overhaul its packaging line. But until we see independent audits or third-party verification, skepticism will linger. Industry insiders say the real test will come in Q1 2026 — will membership renewals dip? Will competitors like Sam’s Club or Aldi gain ground? And will the FDA push for stricter labeling of packaging materials in ready-to-eat meals?One thing’s clear: in 2025, food safety isn’t just about bacteria or toxins anymore. It’s about invisible plastics, broken supply chains, and the quiet erosion of trust. And for a company that built its empire on reliability, that’s the most dangerous contamination of all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my Costco Caesar Salad is part of the recall?
Check the item number on the packaging: #19927 for the standalone Caesar Salad or #11444 for the Chicken Sandwich version. The sell-by date must fall between October 17 and November 9, 2025. Even if the salad looks fine, don’t risk it — the plastic is in the dressing packet, which may appear normal. Return it for a full refund, no receipt needed.
Has anyone been injured from this contamination?
As of now, no injuries or illnesses have been officially reported. But that doesn’t mean the risk isn’t real. Plastic fragments in dressing can be sharp and pose a choking hazard, especially for children or elderly shoppers. The recall is precautionary — Costco and Ventura Foods acted before harm occurred, which is the right move, but it also highlights how close we came to something worse.
Why did it take so long for the recall to be made public?
The recall was issued on November 7, but media coverage didn’t break until November 20. That 13-day gap is typical — companies often wait to coordinate with regulators and ensure all affected products are flagged in inventory systems. Still, critics argue that faster public alerts could have prevented more people from consuming the product. The FDA has no authority to force recalls, only to monitor them.
Are other Costco food items at risk?
No other products are currently under recall for plastic contamination. However, Rolling Out reported that pork jerky was also pulled over metal and plastic issues — though that claim hasn’t been confirmed by Costco or the FDA. The broader pattern in 2025 shows over 300 food recalls nationwide, suggesting systemic issues in packaging and supply chain oversight. Stay alert, check for recalls regularly, and don’t assume safety just because it’s a big brand.
Can I get a refund even if I already ate the salad?
Yes. Costco’s refund policy applies regardless of whether the product was consumed. If you’re concerned about your health after eating it, contact your doctor — but don’t wait to get your money back. The refund is a goodwill gesture, but it’s also a way for Costco to maintain trust. Bring the packaging, even if it’s empty, and ask for your money back at any service desk.
What’s being done to prevent this from happening again?
Valentura Foods says it’s upgrading its packaging equipment and adding new metal and plastic detection systems. But without independent audits or public disclosure of the changes, it’s hard to know if these fixes are enough. The real solution may lie in federal pressure — lawmakers are now considering mandatory real-time recall tracking for major retailers, a move that could reshape how food safety is handled nationwide.