UPDATE: Costco has just expanded its urgent recall of popular ready-to-eat deli items, including the Caesar Salad and Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad, due to potential contamination with plastic fragments. The recall was announced on November 7, 2025, after Ventura Foods alerted the company about concerns regarding salad dressing packets.
The affected products, sold across Costco locations in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast, may pose serious health risks, prompting immediate action from the retailer. Customers are urged to check their refrigerators and pantries for these items, especially the dressing packets, which could cause injury if consumed.
Key Recall Details:
– **Item Numbers:** Caesar Salad Item #19927, Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad Item #11444
– **Sell By Dates:** October 17 – November 9, 2025
– **Distribution Locations:** Midwest, Southeast, Northeast
Costco is proactively communicating this recall directly to its members through email alerts and updates on its product recall page. This transparency aims to facilitate the identification and removal of potentially hazardous food from homes.
The recall highlights a troubling trend in food safety, as over 300 food recalls have already been reported in 2025 alone. Ready-to-eat items like salads and sandwiches are particularly vulnerable to contamination due to centralized production and packing processes. The possibility of ingesting plastic fragments can lead to mouth injuries or digestive complications, making the situation severe.
Food safety experts are advising consumers to dispose of any products purchased during the affected sell-by dates. This incident adds to a growing list of recalls, including:
– **September 2025:** Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke linked to Listeria contamination in green onions across 33 states.
– **October 2025:** Hormel Foods recalled nearly 5 million pounds of ready-to-eat frozen chicken due to metal fragments.
– **October 2025:** Nate’s Fine Foods recalled approximately 245,000 pounds of pre-cooked pasta associated with a listeria outbreak.
The ongoing issues with food safety underscore the importance of rapid responses from retailers. Experts recommend that consumers stay vigilant and subscribe to recall notifications from the FDA and USDA to keep their families safe.
For those affected by this latest Costco recall, the company offers refunds at any Costco warehouse, even without a receipt. Customers can also contact Costco customer support for assistance, ensuring that they stay informed during this critical time.
As food safety remains a pressing issue, shoppers must rely on clear communication and robust recall protocols from retailers like Costco. This situation is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of consumer safety and complex supply chains in today’s marketplace.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
