Costco Recalls Multi-State Meatloaf Meal Kit Over Salmonella Risk
Costco has issued a recall for its prepared "Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze" meal kits sold in 26 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico because an ingredient supplied by Griffith Foods may be contaminated with salmonella. The affected products carry sell‑by dates from March 5 through March 16, and the chain is warning customers not to consume them and to return them for a full refund. Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and can be fatal in severe cases, particularly for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Costco says no illnesses linked to the meal kits have been reported so far, but the breadth of the distribution means potentially thousands of households could have purchased the product. The case highlights the continuing vulnerability of ready‑to‑eat and prepared foods to upstream ingredient problems and the importance of retailers’ direct notification systems and recall tracking for U.S. consumers.
📌 Key Facts
- Product recalled: Costco "Meatloaf with Mashed Yukon Potatoes and Glaze" prepared meal kit
- Sell-by dates affected: March 5–March 16
- Geographic scope: sold in 26 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
- Reason: potential salmonella contamination in an ingredient supplied by Griffith Foods
- Guidance: customers should not consume the product and can return it to Costco for a refund
- Status: no related illnesses reported so far, according to Costco
📊 Relevant Data
Non-Hispanic White persons were overrepresented in Salmonella outbreaks linked to ground beef, comprising 74% of case patients with available data compared to 61% of the US population.
Demographic Characteristics and County-level Indicators of Social Vulnerability in Salmonellosis Outbreaks Linked to Ground Beef—United States, 2012–2018 — Journal of Food Protection
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native persons were overrepresented in Salmonella outbreaks linked to ground beef, comprising 3% of case patients compared to 1% of the US population.
Demographic Characteristics and County-level Indicators of Social Vulnerability in Salmonellosis Outbreaks Linked to Ground Beef—United States, 2012–2018 — Journal of Food Protection
Case patients in ground beef-associated Salmonella outbreaks disproportionately resided in counties with higher social vulnerability, particularly in minority status/language (mean SVI rank 0.76 vs. 0.50 nationally) and housing type/transportation (mean SVI rank 0.64 vs. 0.50).
Demographic Characteristics and County-level Indicators of Social Vulnerability in Salmonellosis Outbreaks Linked to Ground Beef—United States, 2012–2018 — Journal of Food Protection
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