Food recalls are a fact of life.  Every year the FDA issues hundreds of recalls designed to protect consumers from faulty products and contaminated or mislabeled food. 

In fact, each week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues at least one recall related to food that’s been contaminated with an allergen, has a possible bacterial contamination, or contains a dangerous substance such as lead or glass. 

Food recalls are also on the rise. Recalls increased 15% between 2020 and 2024, according to TraceOne, a company that analyzed FDA recall data.

“I wouldn’t say that the overall safety of the U.S. food system has changed,” Associate Professor of Microbial Food Safety at Cornell University Abby Snyder recently told Good Housekeeping. “Recalls happen periodically largely due to unintended food safety failures, and sometimes that means several recalls will happen in short succession,” she said.

Recalls affect every retailer, from Trader Joe’s and Kroger to Costco  (COST) . 

Costco recalls in the past six months:

  • Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene: Bottles could shatter, even if unopened.
  • Dubai Style Chocolate: Mislabeled as containing gluten rather than wheat.
  • Ritz Crackers: Could contain peanuts.
  • Fresh and Ready Sandwiches: Could be contaminated with listeria.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by listeria, infects around 1,600 people each year in the U.S., killing more than 250, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

Costco is recalling a Kirkland product because of potential contamination.

Why Costco is recalling a popular food product sold across 33 states

Image source: Shutterstock Now Costco and FDA are warning customers about a serious food safety issue after thousands of pounds of its Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke were recalled. 

The recall follows confirmation that green onions used in the product may be contaminated with listeria, a bacterium that can cause severe, sometimes life-threatening illness — especially for young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with compromised immune systems.

  • How to recognize the affected products: 3,314.7 pounds of Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke, sold under Costco’s deli section with item #17193, contain green onion that tested positive for listeria.
  • Where was the affected product sold? The contaminated product was sold in Costco warehouses in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
  • When was the affected product packaged? The affected product was packed on September 18, 2025, and carries a “sell by” date of September 22, 2025. 

The company is urging anyone who bought the affected poke to throw it out or return it immediately for a full refund.

Listeriosis is a foodborne illness that can cause serious health problems for pregnant women, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth. Older people and those with weakened immune systems are also at risk, since listeria can cause bloodstream infections or meningitis. 

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More on retail and bankruptcy: Healthy adults may experience temporary symptoms like fever, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Although no illnesses have been reported so far in this case, the recall was initiated quickly after a green onion supplier’s positive test result.

What to do if you purchased Kirkland Signature Ahi Tuna Wasabi Poke

  • Do not eat the product. If you have the recalled poke, do not eat it — even if it looks or smells fine.
  • Return to Costco for a refund or dispose of the product. Costco is offering a full refund. Your Costco warehouse should accept returns with or without a receipt. 
  • Check your food. Look at pack dates and sell-by dates and ensure they match item #17193 and green onion-containing product.
  • Watch for symptoms. If you ate the product and you develop symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, or more serious signs (stiff neck, confusion, etc.), contact a health care provider. 

Meanwhile, the FDA has published the full company announcement, explaining the recall details and safety recommendations.