Costco Recalls Two Popular Refrigerated Foods Over Possible Plastic Contamination

Hey Costco fans! If your fridge is stocked with those convenient Kirkland Signature salads or sandwiches, it’s time to do a quick inventory check. On November 7, 2025, Costco issued a voluntary recall for two popular deli items due to potential plastic fragments in the Caesar dressing.

This isn’t just a minor hiccup—ingesting plastic could lead to serious health issues, and with sell-by dates up to November 9, some shoppers might still have these lurking in their refrigerators. Don’t worry,

The Affected Products: What Exactly Is Being Recalled?

The recall targets two ready-to-eat items from Costco’s deli section, both featuring Caesar dressing pouches. These aren’t the bagged salad kits but the fresh, refrigerated options perfect for a quick lunch:

• Kirkland Signature Caesar Salad (Item #19927): A clear plastic container filled with chopped romaine lettuce, fresh lemon wedges, shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic-and-cheese croutons, and two individual pouches of creamy Caesar dressing.
• Kirkland Signature Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (Item #11444): Includes the same Caesar salad components alongside a chicken sandwich.

Key Identifiers:

• Sell-By Dates: October 17 through November 9, 2025. If your item’s label falls in this range, it’s potentially affected.
• No UPCs listed in the recall notices, but check the item numbers on the packaging.
• Sizes/Packaging: Standard deli-sized containers; no specific weights mentioned.

These products were supplied by Ventura Foods and pulled from shelves immediately after the announcement.

Why the Recall? A Sneaky Plastic Problem

The culprit? Tiny bits of plastic fragments that may have contaminated the Caesar salad dressing packets during manufacturing. It’s a classic case of foreign material slipping into the supply chain—nothing intentional, but enough to warrant a full stop. Costco and Ventura Foods initiated this voluntary recall out of an “abundance of caution” after discovering the issue, and it’s classified under FDA oversight for food safety. No illnesses have been reported yet, but the risk is real enough to act fast.

This comes amid a busy year for recalls—over 300 food-related ones in 2025 alone—but Costco’s quick response (email alerts to members, updates on their recalls page) shows they’re on top of it.

Where Were These Sold? Distribution Details

Not every Costco location is impacted, so breathe easy if you’re in the West Coast or other unaffected areas. The products were distributed to select warehouses in:

• Midwest
• Northeast
• Southeast

They hit shelves between mid-October and early November 2025, aligning with those sell-by dates. If you shopped at a Costco in these regions during that window, double-check your stock. Full details, including a member letter with photos, are on Costco’s official recalls page: costco.com/recalls.html.

Potential Health Risks: Why This Is Life-Threatening

Plastic in your food isn’t just unappetizing—it’s dangerous. Swallowing even small fragments could cause:

• Choking hazards
• Cuts or injuries to the mouth, throat, or digestive tract
• Internal damage requiring medical attention
• Digestive issues like nausea or blockages

Vulnerable groups face higher stakes: kids, seniors, and anyone with swallowing difficulties. While no confirmed cases are tied to this batch, experts stress that prompt action prevents problems. If you’ve eaten any and feel off, chat with your doctor ASAP.

What Should You Do? Step-by-Step Guide

No panic needed, but speed is key. Here’s your action plan:

1. Inspect Immediately: Grab any Caesar salads or chicken sandwiches from your fridge. Look for Item #19927 or #11444 and sell-by dates in the October 17–November 9 range.
2. Don’t Eat It: Toss the dressing pouches first (or the whole thing if in doubt). Even if it looks fine, better safe than sorry.
3. Return for Refund: Head to your local Costco warehouse—no receipt required—for a full refund. They’re super accommodating.
4. Got Questions? Hit up Costco customer service at customerservice.costco.com or call 1-800-955-2292.
5. Stay Updated: Bookmark Costco’s recalls page and sign up for email alerts. The notice will stay posted for months.

Pro tip: Snap a photo of the label before ditching it—it helps if you need to reference later.

Social Media Buzz: What Fans Are Saying

I dug through X, Reddit, and other spots for reactions—turns out, this recall is still fresh (pun intended), so chatter is light but growing. On X (Twitter), it’s mostly news shares: One user flagged it urgently with a link to a local NJ.com story, urging folks to “check before eating.” Expect more as the weekend hits.

Over on Reddit, no dedicated threads popped up yet in r/Costco or r/FoodRecalls (searches for “Costco salad recall November 2025” pulled older egg and deli recalls instead). That said, the community often lights up post-announcement—keep an eye on the November Costco megathread for updates.

Elsewhere, Facebook groups like Cooking Light are amplifying the alert: “Check your refrigerator ASAP!” with details on the items. Overall vibe? Concerned but grateful for the heads-up. No major outrage, just practical advice-sharing. If you’re venting online, tag #CostcoRecall to connect with others.

Final Thoughts: Shop Smart, Stay Safe

Costco’s massive selection is a dream, but recalls like this remind us why checking labels matters. Kudos to them for transparency—this could’ve been swept under the rug elsewhere. In the meantime, pivot to other deli faves (maybe that rotisserie chicken?) and use apps like the FDA’s recall tracker for peace of mind.

Have you spotted these in your fridge or heard from friends? Drop a comment below—let’s keep the convo going. Stay safe out there, fam!