Costco has issued a voluntary recall of Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream across 12 states after consumers reported a chemical smell and taste, with the manufacturer confirming potential contamination from cleaning agents used during production.
Details of the Recall
Alamance Foods, the producer of the whipped cream, initiated the recall out of an abundance of caution after discovering that one batch may contain a small amount of cleaning chemical. The affected products are 15-ounce cans bearing item number 1777000 with a best-if-used-by date of April 2, 2027. Specific timestamps on the cans range from 00:35 to 02:45, helping consumers identify potentially contaminated products in their homes.
The recalled whipped cream was sold at Costco locations between October 11 and October 31 of this year. Despite multiple reports of unusual smell and taste, Alamance Foods noted that no serious adverse health effects requiring medical attention have been reported to date. The company sent direct notices to affected Costco members to ensure widespread awareness of the potential safety issue.
Geographic Distribution
The contaminated products reached stores in 12 states throughout the South and Midwest regions. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin all received shipments of the affected batch. Consumers in these states should check their refrigerators for the specific product information and immediately discontinue use if they possess matching cans.
Consumer Actions and Refunds
Costco has instructed all customers who purchased the affected whipped cream to stop using the product immediately. The wholesale retailer is offering full refunds to anyone who returns the contaminated cans to their local Costco warehouse, no questions asked. This recall comes at a particularly sensitive time, just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday when whipped cream sees increased demand for traditional desserts and beverages.
The incident highlights ongoing food safety challenges in the manufacturing industry, where cleaning chemicals used to sanitize equipment can potentially contaminate products if proper protocols fail. While this recall affects a popular Thanksgiving staple, the swift action by both Alamance Foods and Costco demonstrates the food safety systems designed to protect American consumers from potential health hazards.