Costco customers, do not eat these eggs.
Costco members beware — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent warning of possible salmonella contamination of eggs sold at Costco locations across the country. Consumers are urged to inspect their purchases right away and take precautions to prevent potential health hazards.
Details of the Warning
The FDA’s alert follows routine testing of a batch of eggs distributed to Costco that found salmonella bacteria. The products in question are sold under the brand name Kirkland Signature and have specific lot numbers and expiration dates. Consumers should throw away eggs that match the batch identified by officials to avoid the risk of illness, authorities said.
Health Risks of Salmonella
Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, can lead to serious gastrointestinal illness, with diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. In severe cases, it may require hospitalization — or lead to death, especially among vulnerable groups, including young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
What Consumers Should Do
Check packaging: Examine your Costco eggs for the lot numbers and expiration dates provided in the FDA’s advisory.
Do not eat: If your eggs are part of the affected batch, do not consume them. Do not use them — but seek to dispose of them safely, or return to the place of purchase for a refund.
Proper cleanup: Ensure and wash hands, surfaces and utensils that have potentially come into direct contact with the eggs to avoid cross-contamination.
Costco’s Response
Costco has fully cooperated with the FDA, and has already recalled the impacted eggs. Customers are being alerted via notices in stores, emails and phone calls, where appropriate. “The safety of our customers is our top priority,” said a spokespeople for the retailer. We are actively working to resolve this issue and mitigate any risk.”
Previous Salmonella Outbreaks
This is not the first time that salmonella raised concerns about egg safety. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Recent outbreaks have underscored the importance of strong food safety practices throughout the supply chain.
Preventing Salmonella at Home
Consumers can lower their risk of infection by:
Until both yolk and white are firm.
Not using raw or undercooked eggs in recipes.
Prompt refrigeration at 40°F or below.
Avoiding cross-contamination, such as through proper handwashing before and after preparing eggs.
Stay Informed
Keep up to date on this issue and other food safety recalls at the FDA’s official website, or by signing up for email alerts from them.
