Costco Wholesale Corporation is sounding the alarm on three of its most popular ready-to-eat items—Costco Wholesale Corporation’s Caesar Salad, Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad, and Pork Jerky—after discovering foreign material in the packaging. The recall, first announced on November 7, 2025, for the salad products and expanded on November 25, 2025, to include the jerky, is the latest in a string of food safety incidents for the retail giant this fall. What makes this different isn’t just the number of products, but the dual nature of the threat: plastic shards in salad dressing, and now, metal fragments in a snack item customers often eat on the go.
Plastic in the Dressing: A Silent Hazard
The initial recall targeted Caesar Salad (item #19927) and the Chicken Sandwich with Caesar Salad (item #11444), both containing dressing supplied by Ventura Foods, the Irvine, California-based food manufacturer. The contamination, detected during routine quality checks, involved small plastic fragments—likely from packaging or processing equipment—that could cause internal injury if swallowed. The affected products carried sell-by dates of October 17, 2025, and November 9, 2025, meaning they were sold during a narrow window in late summer and early fall. But here’s the thing: many customers still have them in their fridges. Costco’s official recall notice, posted on its website in November 2025, urges consumers to “stop consuming the products immediately and return them to their local Costco for a full refund.” No expiration date applies to the refund policy. Even if you bought the salad in October, you can still walk into any Costco warehouse and get your money back—no receipt needed. The Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions were affected, with Wisconsin specifically named in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. No illnesses have been confirmed as of November 22, 2025, but the potential for harm is real. Plastic fragments don’t dissolve. They don’t pass through quietly.Now, Metal in the Jerky
Just weeks later, on November 25, 2025, news broke that Costco Wholesale Corporation was recalling its Pork Jerky due to metal contamination. The reports from Azat.tv and Rollingout.com confirmed the expansion, but offered no item numbers, production dates, or supplier names. That’s unusual. For a company that typically discloses details with precision, this silence raises questions. Was the metal found in the same facility? Are the two recalls connected? Or is this just a coincidence? One thing’s clear: this isn’t an isolated incident. Earlier in October 2025, Costco recalled nearly one million bottles of prosecco after reports of bottles shattering during handling—a risk that could have caused serious lacerations. Now, within six weeks, the same company has issued recalls for three different products, involving two types of contaminants, across two categories (beverage and ready-to-eat food). That’s not bad luck. That’s a pattern.Who’s Responsible? And Why Now?
Ventura Foods is named as the dressing supplier, but the company has stayed silent publicly. No press releases. No interviews. Just a quiet cooperation with Costco’s recall. That’s standard in corporate recalls—blame gets buried in contracts—but it leaves customers wondering: Did the plastic come from a faulty mixer? A torn conveyor belt? A broken lid? The answers aren’t public. And while Costco Wholesale Corporation is quick to issue refunds and remove products from shelves, it’s slower to explain. The company operates 875 warehouses globally as of 2025, and its private-label products—like these salads and jerky—are made by third parties. That’s the business model. But when safety fails, the consumer doesn’t care who made it. They care that it was sold under the Costco name.What This Means for Shoppers
If you’ve bought any of these items, check your fridge. Look for item numbers #19927 and #11444 on the salad packaging. The jerky? No labels are confirmed yet, but if you bought it between late September and mid-November 2025, treat it as suspect. Don’t eat it. Don’t risk it. Return it. Costco’s refund policy is one of the most consumer-friendly in retail—use it. This is also a reminder that “fresh” doesn’t mean “safe.” These products had sell-by dates in October and November, but they’re still dangerous now. That’s because contamination isn’t about spoilage. It’s about physical hazards. Plastic and metal don’t rot. They just sit there—waiting for someone to take a bite.What’s Next?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are monitoring the situation, but no formal investigation has been announced. Until then, Costco’s recall page remains the primary source for updates. It currently lists over a dozen active recalls, but only the salad products are fully detailed. The pork jerky recall? Barely a footnote. Expect more scrutiny from regulators. Expect more media attention. And expect customers to ask harder questions: Why did this happen? Why now? And how many other products are sitting on shelves with hidden dangers?Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I already ate one of the recalled products?
If you consumed any of the recalled Caesar Salad, Chicken Sandwich, or Pork Jerky and feel unwell—especially if you experience abdominal pain, vomiting, or signs of internal injury—seek medical attention immediately. While no illnesses have been officially reported as of late November 2025, plastic or metal fragments can cause delayed harm. Keep any remaining packaging or receipts, as they may be needed for medical or legal documentation.
Why wasn’t the pork jerky recall announced at the same time as the salad recall?
The pork jerky recall was confirmed on November 25, 2025, nearly two weeks after the initial salad recall. Costco’s official site still lacks details, suggesting the discovery came later during internal audits or customer complaints. This delay is concerning, especially since both products are perishable and likely sourced from overlapping supply chains. The lack of transparency fuels public distrust.
Are other Costco food items at risk?
There’s no official confirmation, but Costco’s November 2025 recall page lists over a dozen active notices, including previous issues with wine bottles and frozen seafood. The pattern suggests systemic pressure on supply chain quality control. While not all products are affected, shoppers should remain vigilant—especially with private-label items that don’t carry brand names beyond Costco’s own.
Can I get a refund even if I threw the product away?
Yes. Costco’s refund policy for recalled items is unconditional. Even if you’ve discarded the product, you can still visit any warehouse with proof of purchase—or even just your membership card—and request a refund. No questions asked. This policy is designed to encourage safe disposal and rebuild trust, and it’s one of the few bright spots in an otherwise troubling situation.
Why is Ventura Foods not being named publicly as the source of the problem?
Ventura Foods, a major supplier to retailers nationwide, typically avoids public scrutiny during recalls to protect its broader business relationships. While they’re contractually responsible for the dressing contamination, Costco absorbs the reputational hit. This is standard industry practice—but it leaves consumers without knowing whether the issue was a one-time mistake or a recurring flaw in their production process.
How does this affect Costco’s reputation long-term?
Costco’s brand is built on trust and value. Three recalls in six weeks—including two involving physical hazards—threaten that trust. While their refund policy helps, repeated safety failures may push customers toward competitors like Sam’s Club or Trader Joe’s, who’ve maintained cleaner recall records. If Costco doesn’t publicly address the root causes, this could become a defining issue for its 2026 financial performance and member retention.