‘It’s butter’: Almost 40,000 kilograms of butter forced to recall over ‘dumbest’ reason

In a world where we're often reminded to read the fine print, even the most obvious details can't be taken for granted.

In a move that has left many shaking their heads in disbelief, Costco has had to recall a staggering 40,000 kilograms of butter, but the reason might just spread your patience thin.



The recall, which has churned up quite the conversation on social media, was initiated because the product labels failed to mention that the butter contains milk.

Yes, you read that correctly. The creamy kitchen essential, made by churning milk or cream, was pulled from shelves because it didn't explicitly state the presence of milk as an allergen.


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Costco recalled over 40,000 kilograms of butter over this 'ridiculous' reason. Credit: Unsplash


The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the recall for the Kirkland Signature brand, including both salted and unsalted varieties of Sweet Cream Butter.

While the packaging did list cream among the ingredients, it lacked the specific allergy warning that the product 'Contains Milk’.

This oversight has led to a spread of reactions online, ranging from disbelief to humour.

Many people have taken to the internet to express their bemusement, with comments like, 'It's butter,' highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Others have taken a more light-hearted approach, with one user quipping, 'Can y'all please safely dispose of it at my house? I have a lot of holiday baking to do.'

‘Next, they’ll recall beef that might contain cow,’ another said.

‘If you need the government to tell you that butter is a dairy product, then…well, I can’t help you, [...] I loathe the state,’ one user quipped.



The situation becomes even more ludicrous when considering the potential alternatives to such a wasteful recall.

‘Rather than waste (40,000kg) of butter, why don’t they print stickers that say “Contains Milk” and save perfectly good food? So wasteful,’ one person suggested.

Despite the humorous undertones, the recall does have a serious side.

The US Centres for Disease Control noted that milk is one of the main foods that ‘account for most serious allergic reactions in the United States’.

For individuals with milk allergies, consuming products containing milk can lead to severe health consequences.

However, the FDA has not reported any illnesses or adverse reactions associated with the butter in question.



In a previous story, a toy company faced backlash due to a packaging error where the website of an adult entertainment site was printed on boxes of children’s toys instead of the film’s official website.

Social media users widely pointed out the error, which has generated shock, given that the product was intended for children. You can read more about the story here.
Key Takeaways

  • Costco was forced to recall nearly 40,000kg of Kirkland Signature butter because the labelling failed to mention that the product contained milk.
  • The recall was prompted by the absence of an allergy warning for milk on the butter's packaging, despite it listing cream as an ingredient.
  • Social media users ridiculed the recall, with many making sarcastic comments about the obviousness that butter contains milk.
  • The recall was criticised as wasteful, with suggestions that 'Contains Milk' stickers could have been a solution to avoid discarding the butter.
Have you ever encountered a recall that seemed a bit over the top? Do you think there's a better way to handle such situations without resorting to waste? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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I can just see the shocked reaction on Social Media with the village idiots asking why Butter contains Milk or Cream, What do you think it is made of?? Natural selection has no chance of working out if the Government Keep treating us all like We ARE all Idiots and have to be saved from ourselves. Long live the Nanny State it will Keep us all alive long after our brains are dead from under use. Only sarcasm is used in this post with no intended insult for village IDIOTS who are breeding faster than Natural selection can keep up with.
 
The person who wrote the headline needs to learn the difference between 40 kilograms and 40 thousand kilograms. Instead of just dumping the butter how about just print contains milk and stick these on the product.
 
Food labels display a wide range of information to help consumers make choices…Food labels also help to protect public health and safety, by displaying information, such as use by/best before dates, nutritional values, ingredients, certain allergens, instructions for use, storage and preparation, and advisory and warning statements…

It is not as easy as just sticking a label on a label, there are many procedures that have to take place before something so simple can happen!!
 
Food labels display a wide range of information to help consumers make choices…Food labels also help to protect public health and safety, by displaying information, such as use by/best before dates, nutritional values, ingredients, certain allergens, instructions for use, storage and preparation, and advisory and warning statements…

It is not as easy as just sticking a label on a label, there are many procedures that have to take place before something so simple can happen!!
I do agree with you, but sometimes common sense could prevail. Anyone allergic or intolerant of dairy would not even look at butter. I buy Lactose free milk and Buttery spread, because of that reason
 
I would be worried if butter DID NOT contain milk! Who doesn't know butter contains milk? Most probably dopey Americans who believe that kangaroos are in plague proportions in Sydney's CBD.

This is the epitome of labelling" laws" gone wrong.
l've made butter a few times by whipping up the cream too much :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
 
Food labels display a wide range of information to help consumers make choices…Food labels also help to protect public health and safety, by displaying information, such as use by/best before dates, nutritional values, ingredients, certain allergens, instructions for use, storage and preparation, and advisory and warning statements…

It is not as easy as just sticking a label on a label, there are many procedures that have to take place before something so simple can happen!!
It is easy to stick a new label on the butter, the original sticker has all the relevant information except contains milk.
 
Food labels display a wide range of information to help consumers make choices…Food labels also help to protect public health and safety, by displaying information, such as use by/best before dates, nutritional values, ingredients, certain allergens, instructions for use, storage and preparation, and advisory and warning statements…

It is not as easy as just sticking a label on a label, there are many procedures that have to take place before something so simple can happen!!
So repack it all with the right labels saves such huge wastage !
 
I would be worried if butter DID NOT contain milk! Who doesn't know butter contains milk? Most probably dopey Americans who believe that kangaroos are in plague proportions in Sydney's CBD.

This is the epitome of labelling" laws" gone wrong.
By law such products have to be labelled. It is just one of thousands of products which have to be labelled. Unless stickers won't stay on because of the dampness why can't the stores just put stickers on them on stock currently in the stores and when customers take them back.....or get a company to make new labels and re-wrap them. I guess they will do whatever is the cheapest option. Like other special dietary needs food non-dairy is very expensive compared to other food as is also gluten free for people with celiac disease.(Even some sauces, salad dressings and chocolates have gluten in them .....or diabetics (some supermarkets are deleting food suitable for them).
 
The person who wrote the headline needs to learn the difference between 40 kilograms and 40 thousand kilograms. Instead of just dumping the butter how about just print contains milk and stick these on the product.
Yep, would like to borrow $40,000 dollars from the author and repay in 2 X $20 instalments.
 
  • Haha
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