What You Should Know About the Frozen Meal Recall at Costco

Recently, Costco has made headlines for recalling several food items due to potential contamination risks. Just one month after publishing recalls for frozen waffles and skirt steak, the retail giant has announced another voluntary recall, this time for Red’s Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos, due to concerns about Listeria contamination.

The Recall’s Specifics

On October 13, 2024, Red’s Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos were recalled. Costco emphasized to its consumers that the recall was a preventative step.

Red’s issued a statement saying that no infections have been connected to this product and that all their products have tested negative for Listeria. However, because consumer safety is important to the company, certain batches of its burritos were recalled.

Red stated, “our customers’ health and safety are our top priorities.” They explained that BrucePac, one of Red’s chicken suppliers, recalled some poultry products on October 9 due to a potential Listeria infection, which prompted Red to take action.

Red’s has contacted customers who the potentially contaminated goods could have impacted. They are recommended to return the burritos for a full refund even if they have certificates of analysis showing negative Listeria test results for every product load they were given.

Understanding Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is the bacterium that causes listeriosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the populations most vulnerable to Listeria include the elderly, infants, expectant mothers, and people with weakened immune systems.

However, healthy individuals may also get the virus, even though serious infections are rare in this population.

The signs of a Listeria infection might arise many days to weeks after consuming contaminated food. Typical symptoms include fever, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, and vomiting. Consumers must be aware of these signs, especially if they have consumed possibly contaminated products.

How to Look

Red’s Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos feature a tasty blend of grilled chicken, white cheddar cheese, black beans, brown rice, sweet corn, and smokey chipotle sauce. These burritos are exclusive to Costco locations in the Midwest and were just added to the menu.

This recall is limited to certain shipments. Customers, check the “best by” dates on the burrito package. The recall covers the dates listed below:

3/27/26
4/1/26
April 26
4/7/26

You must not consume any burritos you purchased on one of these dates. Return the item to Costco to get a full refund.

Customer Guidance

Costco highly encourages returning the recalled burritos to receive a refund if you still have them at home. For any questions or more help, call Red’s customer service at (888) 522-9408 during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time.

In the recall notification, the company apologized for any inconvenience and reaffirmed its dedication to customer safety and transparency about any health risks.

The Whole Picture: A Wider Recall

This recall is part of a larger problem involving BrucePac, the source of the protein. Approximately 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat beef products have been recalled. The goods in question are sold at Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and H-E-B, among other places.

The extent of this recall emphasizes the importance of consumers’ awareness of food products and the potential for widespread issues with food safety.

More Up-to-Date Food Recalls

In addition to the burrito recall, consumers should be aware of a significant ongoing recall involving eggs. Due to a possible salmonella infection, all eggs with the “Milo’s Poultry Farms” and “Tony’s Fresh Market” labels are recalled.

Salmonella is another bacterium that can result in dangerous foodborne infections. Therefore, it’s imperative that customers are informed about these recalls to protect their health and welfare.

Conclusion

The Costco recall of Red’s Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of consumer education and food safety. Red has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety of its customers, but given the potential risks of foodborne illnesses, prudence is nevertheless advised.

If consumers want to return recalled goods, they should follow the recommended steps and look through their freezers and pantries for the affected items.

Staying informed about food recalls and potential health risks associated with our food is essential. By doing this, we can help ensure the safety of our families and our communities.