You’re standing in the kitchen, half-awake, cracking an egg over a sizzling pan when that nagging thought hits you. Didn't you see something on your phone about a Costco recall on eggs? It’s a gut-sinking feeling. Honestly, nobody wants to play Russian roulette with their breakfast, especially when we’re talking about salmonella.
Costco is basically a religion for some of us, but when the supply chain hiccups, it hiccups big. Because of the sheer volume they move, a "small" issue at a supplier level becomes a massive headache for millions of members across the country.
The Reality of the Costco Egg Recall Situation
So, let's get the facts straight. Most recently, the drama centered around Kirkland Signature branded eggs, specifically those linked to a company called Handsome Brook Farms. Back in late 2024, they had to pull a specific batch of organic pasture-raised eggs because of potential Salmonella Braenderup contamination. This wasn't every egg in the warehouse. It was localized.
Salmonella isn't just a "bad stomach ache." It’s serious. The CDC keeps a very close eye on these things because the elderly and young kids can end up in the hospital fast. If you bought the 24-count packs with specific "Best By" dates ranging around early January 2025, you were in the splash zone.
Costco is actually pretty good at this. They use their membership data to track exactly who bought the compromised lots. If you’ve ever gotten one of those automated "Do Not Eat" phone calls at dinner time, you know the drill. It’s creepy but effective.
Why Does This Keep Happening?
It’s the scale. When you’re sourcing millions of eggs to keep up with the demand for those Kirkland 2-dozen packs, you’re relying on a web of farms. One farm has a hygiene slip-up or a wild bird introduces bacteria into the coop, and suddenly the whole distribution center is flagged.
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It’s not just Costco. We’ve seen similar ripples with Handsome Brook Farms supplying other retailers like Wegmans or Sprouts. But because Costco is the big fish, the Costco recall on eggs is what ends up trending on TikTok and making people panic.
How to Check Your Fridge (The Non-Panic Way)
Don't just throw everything out. That’s a waste of money and those organic eggs aren't cheap these days. Check the plant code and the "Best By" date on the side of the carton.
The specific recall involved the UPC code 896807001476.
If your carton doesn't match that, you're likely fine. But if it does? Don't even think about cooking them "extra well-done" to kill the bugs. Just stop. Salmonella can live on the shell, your hands, and your countertop.
Identifying the Symptoms
If you think you already ate the bad eggs, watch out for the "Big Three":
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- Sudden, cramping abdominal pain.
- Fever that hits out of nowhere.
- Diarrhea that... well, you know.
Symptoms usually show up between 6 hours and 6 days after eating. Most people get better on their own, but if you're feeling dehydrated, call a doctor. Don't be a hero.
The Logistics of a Refund
Costco’s return policy is legendary for a reason. You don’t even need the physical eggs or the receipt in most cases, though having the carton helps. Just go to the membership desk. They see the purchase on your account. They’ll give you a full refund.
Sometimes they tell you to just throw the eggs away at home so you aren't carrying leaking, salmonella-infested shells through a crowded store. Use your head. If the email they sent says "discard and visit for a refund," just do that.
A Closer Look at the Supply Chain
Why do we keep seeing these recalls with "Organic" or "Pasture-Raised" eggs? It’s kind of ironic. In a factory farm where birds never see the light of day, the environment is sterile—almost too sterile. But in pasture-raised environments, birds are outside. They interact with the soil. They interact with wildlife.
While it’s a much better life for the chicken, it does increase the biological variables. One infected migratory bird flying over a pasture can change everything.
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Is It Safe to Buy Eggs at Costco Now?
Yes.
Recalls are actually a sign the system is working. It means a testing protocol caught the bacteria before a massive outbreak happened. If we never had recalls, that would be the time to worry. It would mean nobody was checking.
What You Should Do Today
If you have Kirkland Signature eggs in your fridge right now, take thirty seconds to look at the carton.
- Look for the UPC. If it's 896807001476, pay attention.
- Check the 'Best By' date. The recent scare focused on dates through Jan 5, 2025.
- Sanitize. If you handled those eggs, bleach your counters. Wash your hands like you’re a surgeon.
- Monitor Your Health. If you’ve had a "stomach flu" recently and you’ve been eating these eggs, it might not have been a flu.
Moving forward, keep your eggs in their original carton. People love those fancy clear plastic bins for the "aesthetic," but then you lose the lot code and the expiration date. If a recall happens, you'll have no idea if your eggs are the ones on the list. Keep the cardboard. It’s uglier, but it’s safer.
Check the Costco "Recalls" page on their website once a month. They list everything from faulty lithium batteries to contaminated frozen berries. It’s a good habit to have.
Clean your fridge drawers regularly. Egg shells are porous and can carry bacteria even if the egg inside is fine. A quick wipe-down with a food-safe disinfectant goes a long way in preventing cross-contamination with your produce.