Costco pulled two refrigerated products from shelves after discovering plastic fragments in the dressing supplied by a California manufacturer.
The warehouse retailer issued an urgent recall for its Caesar Salad and Chicken Sandwich Caesar Salad on November 7, 2025, following the discovery of foreign materials that pose potential choking and internal injury risks.
Shoppers who purchased these items in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions need to check their refrigerators immediately. The recalled products carry specific lot numbers and sell-by dates ranging from October 17 to November 9.
Ventura Foods, the California-based supplier responsible for manufacturing the dressing, detected the plastic contamination during routine quality checks. The issue affects Lot #19927 for the Caesar Salad and Lot #11444 for the Chicken Sandwich variety. Costco posted a notice on its website urging customers to stop consuming these products and return them for a full refund.
Key Takeaways
- Costco recalled two Caesar salad products due to plastic pieces found in the dressing
- Lot #19927 (Caesar Salad) and Lot #11444 (Chicken Sandwich) are affected
- Products were sold in Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast locations
- Sell-by dates range from October 17 to November 9, 2025
- Customers should return items immediately for a full refund
- No illnesses have been reported so far
What Products Are Affected
The recall targets two ready-to-eat items sold across multiple Costco warehouses. The Caesar Salad in Lot #19927 contains romaine lettuce, croutons, and dressing in a single container. The Chicken Sandwich Caesar Salad in Lot #11444 includes grilled chicken strips along with the salad components.
Both products share the same contaminated dressing manufactured by Ventura Foods. The plastic fragments entered the supply chain during the manufacturing process, creating safety concerns for consumers who may accidentally ingest the foreign material.
Shoppers can identify affected packages by checking the lot numbers printed on the product labels.
The sell-by dates printed on packaging provide another way to verify recalled items. Any product with dates between mid-October and early November falls under this withdrawal. Costco distributed these items to warehouses in select states rather than nationwide, limiting the scope of the recall.
Health Risks from Plastic Contamination
Foreign materials in food create serious safety hazards. Plastic pieces can cause choking if swallowed, particularly for children and elderly consumers. Sharp fragments may also damage the digestive tract, leading to internal injuries that require medical attention.
The incident highlights vulnerabilities in food manufacturing systems. Plastic plays a major role in food production and packaging, increasing opportunities for contamination when equipment malfunctions or quality control fails. Each contamination event puts consumers at risk of ingesting harmful particles.
Research continues into the long-term effects of microplastic exposure. While this recall involves visible plastic fragments rather than microscopic particles, the broader issue of plastic in the food supply remains a growing concern. Stronger monitoring at production facilities and tighter manufacturing standards help prevent such incidents from reaching store shelves.
What Customers Should Do
| Action | Details |
|---|---|
| Check Products | Look for Lot #19927 or #11444 on package labels |
| Verify Dates | Confirm sell-by dates between Oct 17 and Nov 9 |
| Stop Eating | Do not consume any affected products |
| Return Items | Bring packages to any Costco warehouse |
| Get Refund | Receive full refund without receipt required |
| Seek Help | Contact Costco customer service with questions |
Costco advises throwing away affected products or returning them to any warehouse location. The company processes refunds without requiring receipts, making the return process straightforward for concerned shoppers.
Customers experiencing health issues after consuming these salads should contact healthcare professionals immediately.
The retailer posted detailed information on its website, including images of affected packaging and clear instructions for returns. Anyone with questions can reach Costco’s customer service team through the company website or by visiting their local warehouse service desk.
Company Response and Prevention
Costco acted quickly after Ventura Foods reported the contamination issue. The company removed affected inventory from store shelves and notified customers through multiple channels, including website alerts and direct communications to members who purchased the products.
This recall represents part of broader food safety concerns in November 2025. Costco faced additional product withdrawals during the same period, including 940,000 bottles of Kirkland Signature Prosecco that could shatter spontaneously and Golden Island Fire-Grilled Pork Jerky containing metal fragments.
Food safety experts emphasize the importance of improved quality control measures throughout the supply chain. Better monitoring during manufacturing, stricter supplier standards, and enhanced testing protocols reduce the likelihood of contaminated products reaching consumers. When issues occur, rapid response and transparent communication help minimize health risks and maintain customer trust.
