!Voluntary recall · Do not eat
Food Safety Costco Recall November 2026
Is Your Costco Whipped Cream Part of the Kirkland Recall — and How Do You Check the Can Before Thanksgiving?
Alamance Foods has recalled one batch of Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream sold at Costco in 12 states because it may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical. Here is exactly which cans are affected and how to get your money back.
By The Consumer DeskFact-checked against the Alamance Foods notice as reported by ABC News, WRAL, Fox Business and FDA recall definitionsUpdated November 15, 2026Scope Costco warehouses in 12 U.S. states
Whipped cream is one of the most-used items in an American kitchen this time of year, sprayed on pumpkin pie, hot cocoa and pancakes from now until New Year’s. If you stocked up at Costco in October, there is a chance a can in your refrigerator is part of a recall announced less than three weeks before Thanksgiving. The problem is not bacteria. It is a possible trace of a cleaning chemical, and some shoppers have already noticed something off.
The recall covers a single production batch, which makes it easy to check. You need about 30 seconds and the bottom or side of your can. This guide lays out the codes to look for, the 12 states involved, what to do if you already used some, and what remains unknown about the chemical itself.
What We Know
- One batch may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical, per Alamance Foods.
- Some Costco members reported a chemical smell and taste.
- No serious adverse effects requiring medical care have been reported.
- Costco is offering full refunds at its warehouses.
What Is Still Unclear
- Which cleaning chemical was involved and at what concentration.
- How many cans were in the affected batch.
- Whether the FDA will classify the recall and at what level.
- How the chemical entered the product during production.
The Four Codes That Tell You If Your Can Is Affected
The recall notice, which Alamance Foods shared with Costco members and which was posted on Costco’s website, identifies the product as Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream, 15 ounces (425 grams), sold in a case pack described as 8CT/3PK. That means eight three-packs per shipping case, according to the notice. You will usually find the best-by date and timestamp printed on the bottom of the can or near the base of its label.
- ProductReal HeavyKirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream
- Size15 oz / 425 gSold as a three-pack of cans
- Item codeAC50Manufacturer code listed by Alamance Foods
- Best if used byAPR 02 2027Date printed on affected cans
- Timestamp00:35 to 02:45Production time window on the can
- Costco item#1777000Shown on receipts and Costco’s notice
All of the identifiers should match. A can with the April 2, 2027 date but a timestamp outside the 00:35 to 02:45 window is not part of the announced batch, based on the notice. If the code is smudged or you cannot read it, treat the can as affected and return it. Costco’s purchase history in its app or your membership account can also confirm whether you bought the item during the October window.
The 12 States in the Recall Zone
The affected batch went to Costco warehouses across the Southeast and Midwest. Alamance Foods is based in Graham, North Carolina, according to KTBS reporting, which fits the regional distribution. If you live outside these states but bought whipped cream while traveling in one of them during October, check your cans too.
There has been no announcement of a nationwide recall of all Kirkland Signature whipped cream products, according to reporting on the official notice. Cans sold in other states, or with different dates and timestamps, are not part of this action as of November 15, 2026.
How the Recall Unfolded
- Oct. 11First day affected cans were sold at Costco warehouses
- Oct. 31Last day of the reported sales window, 21 days in total
- Nov. 7Alamance Foods issues voluntary recall notice to Costco members
- Nov. 13National coverage by ABC News, Fox Business and others
- Nov. 26Thanksgiving Day, 19 days after the recall notice
- Apr. 2, 2027Best-if-used-by date on affected cans
The Recall Calendar in Days
The long shelf life matters. Because the cans were good until April 2027, many households could be holding them well into next year, long after the news cycle fades. Checking now, and telling relatives who shop at Costco, is the best way to keep them from being used at a holiday table.
What a Cleaning Chemical Recall Means
“We have learned that one batch of Kirkland Signature Whipped Cream may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical,” Alamance Foods said in its notice, as reported by WRAL. “Members have reported a chemical smell and taste, but no serious adverse effects requiring medical care have been reported.” Fox Business reported that the company said it initiated the recall “out of an abundance of caution.”
Food plants clean equipment between production runs with sanitizers and detergents. If a cleaning solution is not fully rinsed from tanks, lines or filling equipment, traces can end up in the next batch. The notice does not name the chemical, so it is not possible to say what health effects, if any, it could cause. A noticeable chemical smell or taste is the main warning sign members described.
Why a Store Brand Recall Comes From Another Company
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private label, but Costco does not make most Kirkland products itself. Outside manufacturers produce them under contract, and in this case the maker is Alamance Foods of Graham, North Carolina. That is why the recall letter carries the manufacturer’s name and contact email rather than Costco’s, even though it was distributed to Costco members and posted on Costco’s website.
The membership model gives Costco an advantage in recalls. Because purchases are tied to member accounts, the retailer can identify who bought an affected item and notify them directly. Yahoo reported that the recall information reached shoppers through a notice the retailer sent to members. If you received a letter, email or call, it is a strong sign you bought the product, but a missing message is not proof you did not, especially if someone else in your household shops on a shared membership.
How the FDA Ranks Food Recalls
The FDA assigns recalls a class based on health hazard after reviewing a company’s evaluation. A recall can appear as “not yet classified” while that review is pending. As of this update, a classification for this recall had not been reported in the sources reviewed.
| Class | FDA definition | Share of FDA food recalls | Typical examples | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Reasonable probability of serious adverse health consequences or death | 44.2% | Listeria, Salmonella, undeclared allergens | Highest urgency; stop use immediately |
| Class II | May cause temporary or medically reversible effects, or serious harm is remote | 50% | Possible cross-contamination, foreign material | Stop use and return or discard |
| Class III | Not likely to cause adverse health consequences | 5.8% | Minor labeling or quality issues | Low risk, but product is still violative |
| Not yet classified | FDA review of the hazard is pending | Under 1% | Newly announced recalls | Follow the company’s instructions |
| Market withdrawal | Not a recall; minor issue not subject to FDA action | Not counted | Quality or stock removal | Usually no safety concern |
Definitions come from the FDA’s enforcement report guidance and 21 CFR 7.3. The share column reflects historical FDA food recall data compiled by RecallCheck and is indicative only.
Recalls in Context: How Often This Happens
Food recalls are more common than many shoppers realize. U.S. PIRG Education Fund counted 296 food recall announcements by the FDA and USDA combined in 2024, a 5% decrease from 313 in 2023. The FDA, which oversees products like whipped cream, issued 241 of those, an 8% increase. Undeclared allergens were the single biggest cause, at 101 recalls, or 34% of the total.
U.S. Food Recalls in 2024 by Agency and Cause
The same PIRG analysis found that illnesses tied to recalled food rose from 1,118 in 2023 to 1,392 in 2024, hospitalizations more than doubled from 230 to 487, and deaths rose from 8 to 19. Nearly all of those cases came from bacterial outbreaks. Chemical contamination recalls like this one are less common and, so far, have not been linked to illness here.
Harm From Recalled Food: 2023 Versus 2024
20232024
What to Do Right Now
If you find an affected can, the fix is straightforward. Alamance Foods and Costco advise consumers to stop using the product and return it to a local Costco for a full refund, or discard it, according to KTBS and ABC News.
- Check every canLook for item code AC50, best-by April 2, 2027 and a timestamp from 00:35 to 02:45.
- Stop using matchesDo not taste-test. Set them apart from other food.
- Return to any CostcoBring the cans to the returns counter for a full refund.
- Or discard safelyIf you throw them away, keep a photo of the code for your records.
- Watch for symptomsIf you ate some and feel unwell, contact a doctor or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
- Ask questionsAlamance Foods lists customer.care@alamancefood.com for questions, per WRAL.
Planning Thanksgiving Desserts Around the Recall
With Thanksgiving falling on Nov. 26, many cooks will be replacing cans in the next 11 days. Whipped cream from other batches, other brands or homemade versions is not affected by this recall. Homemade whipped cream takes heavy cream, a little sugar and a few minutes with a mixer, and it keeps for a day or two refrigerated. If you replace cans at Costco, check the codes on the new ones before leaving the store; recalled stock should already be off shelves, but a quick look costs nothing.
If You Already Used Some
No serious adverse effects requiring medical care have been reported, according to the company. Still, anyone who ate whipped cream from an affected can and develops symptoms such as mouth or throat irritation, nausea, vomiting or stomach pain should seek medical advice. Poison Control, reachable 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222, can give guidance on chemical exposures. Mention the product and timestamp so they have the details.
- AC50 item codeManufacturer code to match
- April 2, 2027Best-if-used-by date
- 00:35 to 02:45Timestamp window
- Oct. 11 to 31Purchase dates in 2026
- 12 statesSoutheast and Midwest
- Full refundAt any Costco warehouse
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kirkland whipped cream is recalled?
Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream, 15-ounce cans sold in three-packs, with item code AC50, a best-if-used-by date of April 2, 2027 and timestamps from 00:35 to 02:45.
Why was Costco whipped cream recalled?
Manufacturer Alamance Foods said one batch may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical. Some members reported a chemical smell and taste.
What states are affected by the Kirkland whipped cream recall?
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
When were the recalled cans sold?
Between Oct. 11 and Oct. 31, 2026, at Costco warehouses in the 12 affected states.
Can I get a refund for recalled Costco whipped cream?
Yes. Return the product to your local Costco for a full refund, or discard it.
Has anyone gotten sick from the recalled whipped cream?
No serious adverse effects requiring medical care have been reported, according to Alamance Foods.
Is all Kirkland whipped cream recalled?
No. Only the single batch with item code AC50, the April 2, 2027 date and the listed timestamps is included. No nationwide recall of all Kirkland whipped cream has been announced.
What should I do if I ate recalled whipped cream?
If you feel unwell, contact your doctor or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and mention the product details.
The Short Version
Alamance Foods has recalled one batch of Kirkland Signature Real Heavy Whipped Cream, 15-ounce cans in three-packs, sold at Costco in 12 Southeast and Midwest states from Oct. 11 to Oct. 31, 2026. The cans may contain a small amount of a cleaning chemical. Check for item code AC50, a best-by date of April 2, 2027 and timestamps from 00:35 to 02:45. No serious illnesses have been reported. Stop using affected cans and return them to Costco for a full refund before Thanksgiving.
Omisha is a health writer passionate about turning complex medical research into clear, actionable content readers can trust. She covers everything from nutrition and mental wellness to chronic disease management, always grounding her work in credible science and real-world relevance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading up on the latest health studies or exploring new wellness trends to write about next.
